Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR)

Pigmented Structural Concrete at the VHIR Building – Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona

The new building of the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), located behind the Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, has established itself as a benchmark in both biomedical research and architectural design. The project, designed by architects Jordi Badia and Jero Gutiérrez (BAAS Arquitectura) + EU (Miquel Espinet), has been awarded the FAD Architecture Prize, underscoring its significance in today’s architectural landscape.

The building is notable for its extensive use of integrally pigmented concrete, applied throughout the structure and in all exposed elements. In this project, the structure is not hidden; instead, it becomes the architectural expression itself, showcasing concrete as an aesthetic medium. SC Pigments provided the pigments used to color the entire concrete structure.

The project team drew inspiration from the natural stone tones found in the nearby mountainous area of Collserola, aiming to create a direct dialogue between the building and its surroundings.

During the initial phase, multiple pigmentation tests were conducted on-site with various formulations to achieve the exact tone required for the entire project.

+ more information and project images: baas.cat

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