Once again, timber stands at the forefront of 21st-century construction. The new Faculty of Health Sciences at the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), located in Pamplona, is the largest timber building in Navarre.
Designed by VArquitectos and Bryaxis Arquitectos, this landmark educational facility is driven by a clear vision centred on sustainability, functionality and integration with its surroundings.
The building has been conceived as a positive-energy facility, capable of generating as much energy as it consumes. It operates entirely on electricity, without fossil fuels, while prioritising energy efficiency, material traceability and the use of locally sourced resources.
With more than 13,500 m² of usable floor area and capacity for 1,500 students, academic staff and researchers, the building has been designed to promote mobility, flexible use of space and long-term operational sustainability.
At Talleres Inox, we are particularly proud to have participated as façade specialists in the delivery of this university complex, working alongside a strong network of industrial partners led by Grupo Gámiz and in collaboration with Hnos. Aldaz Remiro S.L. (joinery contractor) in the construction of this outstanding timber building.
Timber Inox Curtain Wall by Talleres Inox
The project incorporates our prefabricated laminated timber curtain wall system, manufactured using Radiata Pine and finished with a water-based coating. The system features an external aluminium weatherproofing assembly that has been tested and certified by accredited laboratories.
The solution was developed to bring the warmth and natural aesthetics of exposed timber into the interior spaces while enhancing thermal and acoustic performance, occupant comfort and overall wellbeing. The system is also self-supporting, allowing the integration of the external double-skin façade and maintenance walkways directly onto the curtain wall structure without penetrating or compromising the curtain wall’s weather-tight envelope.
Making of
Timber in Its Purest Form
The building structure combines glulam beams and columns with CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) panels used for floors and enclosure systems. Structural laminated Radiata Pine beams are also incorporated into the curtain wall assembly.
The structure contains more than 2,900 m³ of timber. Of this volume, 2,200 m³ corresponds to industrialised components manufactured by Stora Enso, the Swedish-Finnish forest industry group specialising in renewable materials and timber construction solutions. The remaining 700 m³ consists of engineered timber components assembled locally at Madergia’s production facility in Oricáin, Navarre.
The combination of glulam Radiata Pine columns and beams with CLT floor and envelope systems demonstrates that timber is a fully viable structural solution for large-scale buildings.
The façade assembly incorporates internal CLT layers together with external Accoya timber fins protected by anodised aluminium profiles, ensuring long-term durability against moisture and ultraviolet radiation.
The project’s industrialised design approach and extensive prefabrication strategy enabled construction to be completed in just 28 months while significantly reducing site waste, reinforcing timber’s position as a competitive and sustainable structural material.
The university complex was delivered using BIM (Building Information Modelling) methodology, integrating all project phases within a coordinated intelligent 3D model. This digital workflow enabled efficient design, construction and operation of the facility while ensuring coordination among all project stakeholders.
We are pleased to share the interview conducted by EspacioBIM,
which provides further insight into the project and its construction process.
Watch the interview:
https://www.espaciobim.com/varquitectos-bryaxis
Credits:
Architecture:
VArquitectos y Bryaxis Arquitectos
Manufacturers:
Client:
(UTE) Osés Construcción y Construcciones Mariezcurrena
Promotor:
Universidad Pública de Navarra
Photographer building: