>> The ADEMA University Research Centre becomes a meeting point for research in which innovation, sustainability and respect for local architectural heritage are the protagonists
The University Research Center of Mallorca “ES CRUM” of ADEMA in Inca is becoming this week the research and teaching headquarters of one of the most prestigious universities of British Architecture, the Architectural Association of London, which has formed for almost 200 años to generations of internationally renowned architects and continues to be a point of reference in the vanguard of innovation in architectural design.
This week, around twenty students and teachers from this London university are participating in the workshop “Learning from Stone”, in which they are delving into the traditional and contemporary use of sandstone as a sustainable resource and basis for an architecture adapted to the Mediterranean environment, analysing its architectural implications and encouraging the development of innovative and ecologically responsible concepts with cultural heritage and traditional construction techniques.
According to ADEMA’s programme coordinator, Dr Guillem Aloy, “various visits have been organised to quarries and historic buildings and other key sites, as well as various workshops and practical seminars in which the possibilities of marés have been explored, from its structural and climatic properties to its relationship with post-extractive landscapes, while at the same time promoting the development of innovative and sustainable architectural projects.”
>> ADEMA President Diego González has thanked the teaching staff and students of one of the most prestigious international universities of Architecture for participating in the workshops on innovation in this sector
The workshop also features the participation of leading architects such as Blanca Gardelegui, Isla Architects, KOSMOS Architects and Alexandra Chechetkina to add synergies and research into more environmentally friendly architectural approaches.
“For a few days, Inca and Mallorca will become a nerve centre for research and innovation in sustainable architecture. It is an excellent opportunity to host this type of international event, in which we are linking academic training and practical research, a binomial so important in the purpose of a university where we combine theory, practice and social and environmental commitment,” explained Dr. Guillem Aloy.
On the other hand, the president of ADEMA, Diego González, thanked the teaching team and students of the London university for participating in this workshop that connects the academic field with the real needs of society. “At ADEMA, we feel deeply proud to host international events such as this one, which not only allows us to highlight international talent but also gives visibility to the potential of local resources and participate in a high-level academic exchange.”
Learning from local resources: The marés as the protagonist
Marés stone, characterised by its golden hue and ease of workability, has been one of the most representative materials of Mallorcan architecture. From its applications in the construction of emblematic monuments such as Palma Cathedral and La Lonja, to its use in contemporary architecture, Marés stone has been fundamental in the architectural development of the island. However, its extraction is becoming increasingly limited due to the overexploitation of quarries and the depletion of this natural resource.
With a practical and theoretical approach, in the words of Dr. Guillem Aloy, this academic activity “has invited participants to integrate learning and research with the practice of architecture, encouraging the development of projects that respect the natural, cultural and social environment of the Island.”
“We want to promote “ES CRUM” as a research centre in which innovation, sustainability and respect for local architectural heritage are fundamental. This international workshop puts Mallorca on the map of international events in the field of Design, Architecture and Construction, reinforcing its role as a meeting point for professionals and students from around the world, interested in the future of sustainable architecture.”
The ultimate goal of this research and workshop is to design a structure, whether a shelter, a house or an architectural element, entirely made of stone and located within the Vinromà quarry in Muro. This will allow exploring the spatial potential of stone in the creation of contemporary architecture.