Sorigué completes the construction of the new CaixaForum Valencia
The construction project respects the architecture of the original building in the emblematic City of Arts and Sciences, while transforming the building into a new first-class cultural space in Valencia.
The new headquarters were opened on Tuesday 21 June 2022 by the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Ximo Puig; the Mayor of Valencia, Joan Ribó; and the President of the “la Caixa” Foundation, Isidro Fainé.
Sorigué was represented by the president of the group, Ana Vallés; the CEO, Luis Villena; the general manager of the Southern Central area, José Ramón Tiemblo; and the entire Sorigué team involved in the project.
Design and sustainability
The design of the building, by architect Enric Ruiz-Geli and his Cloud 9 studio, has been conceived as an artistic creation in own right. Its structure forms a landscape through different capsules and a colossal shell, in which sustainability plays a major role. As such, the architecture of the original building and the new architectural work coexist in harmony with each other, facilitating their use for cultural purposes.
In this regard, the construction project has been intended to enhance, and coexist within, the emblematic Agora at the City of Arts and Sciences, respecting the original concept of the building as a space for reflection, simultaneously transforming it into a new state-of-the-art cultural space open to the public.
In total, the facility covers an area of 10,000 square metres devoted to the dissemination of culture and science: two exhibition halls, an auditorium with capacity for around 300 people, a bookshop, a restaurant and a family-friendly educational space.
Execution of the work
Works began in March 2020, shortly before state of emergency was declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After a temporary suspension, work was resumed at the end of April of the same year, and the planned deadlines were met.
This project has been carried out by the Sorigué Group’s Construction department for the Central South region. This major contract also represented the beginning of the business group’s activities in Valencia, with the goal of establishing its position in this Autonomous Community.
About CaixaForum Valencia
CaixaForum Valencia strives to be a dynamic space at the service of the local community where culture manifests itself as a tool to promote social cohesion and integration for all audiences. For that reason, it will serve as the venue for art, science and social exhibitions; concerts and poetry recitals; debates; and conferences, among other things.