UPNA. Faculty of Health Sciences

The new Faculty of Health Sciences at the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), in Pamplona, has become the largest timber building in Navarre.

From the very start of the project, the studios VArquitectos and Bryaxis Arquitectos chose wood as the main structural and envelope material, in line with a building conceived as an educational and sustainable benchmark for the region.

The façade has been clad in Accoya acetylated wood. A total of 80 m³ of raw-section boards have been installed, with a raw section of 200x25 mm (190x20 mm finished), grade A1.

The natural acetylation gives the wood exceptional stability and durability, backed by fifty years of written warranty above ground.

The structure of the building combines glulam beams and columns with CLT panels on the floors. Beyond the supply of Accoya for the envelope, at Grupo Gámiz we have also manufactured the structural radiata pine glulam beams that form part of the curtain wall of the building.

The faculty is designed as a positive-energy building, capable of generating as much energy as it consumes: it runs exclusively on electricity, without fossil fuels, and prioritises energy efficiency, traceability and locally sourced materials.