A ceramic double skin in an educational center in melilla

Abstract

In this article we discuss some aspects of the design and construction of The Old Market of Melilla (North Africa). The works are the result of a competition held in 2008 to restore and restructure the Old Market, which I won and which is currently in progress construction.The Old Market of Melilla is being restructured and turned into the most important educational and cultural centre of the city; the new building will hold a Conservatory of Music, a School for Adults and a Foreign Languages School, while maintaining the unique personality of the old market.The original upper decks have been removed, extruding in height each warehouse of the old market, while the new facades will be covered with ceramics.A double skin made of ceramics (a light latticework + a ventilated facade) manages and adequately distributes the energy acoustic, thermal energy and light- into the building. The double skin made of ceramics serves the purpose of energy control and management through the building and has been designed and elaborated specifically for this project.