N.E.S.T. A Network for Ecological and Sustainable Timber Research
Introduction
The N.E.S.T. Research Center is a project within the MAEBB program, designed as the final step in the timber transformation chain. It is not merely a research hub but a living ecosystem of innovation, where the possibilities of timber construction are explored, tested, and refined.
Situated in Sant Adrià del Besòs, Barcelona, N.E.S.T. contributes to the area’s transformation from an industrial, fossil-fuel-driven past to a sustainable and regenerative urban future. This initiative aligns with the ongoing ecological restoration of the Besòs River, making the center an integral part of Barcelona’s green transition.
A Vision for Sustainable Timber Research
The concept of N.E.S.T. is rooted in the philosophy of a “Biocity”, where urban structures mimic natural ecosystems, fostering resilience and sustainability. Timber plays a central role in this design, offering both structural efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint.
Program & Spatial Organization
N.E.S.T. is not just a research facility but a dynamic, multifunctional space designed for collaboration, education, and community engagement. The building incorporates several key programmatic elements:
1. Public Interface & Engagement
A welcoming space that invites the public to interact with timber and sustainable design. Key features include:
- Fab Labs: Equipped with advanced woodworking and fabrication tools, these spaces encourage hands-on experimentation and prototyping.
- Sculpture Gardens: Open areas where artists and designers can exhibit timber-based creations, inspiring new applications of the material.
2. Research & Workspaces
Designed for maximum flexibility and collaboration, the laboratories and testing areas promote knowledge exchange and innovation:
- Open-Plan Layouts: Encouraging spontaneous interactions that can lead to new discoveries.
- Material Testing Zones: Where timber durability, fire resistance, and structural behavior are analyzed.
3. Residential & Shared Living Spaces
To cultivate an interdisciplinary research environment, N.E.S.T. provides on-site housing for young professionals in sustainability, architecture, and engineering:
- Co-Living Apartments: Encouraging knowledge-sharing beyond work hours.
- Community Facilities: Designed to reinforce a culture of sustainable living, from shared kitchens to eco-friendly recreation areas.
Architectural Evolution & Structural Innovation
Design Development: From Concept to Realisation
The design process underwent several iterations, each refining the spatial and structural efficiency of the building:
- Initial Concept: A cubical massing with an emphasis on permeability and lightness at the lower levels.
- Iteration A: Introduction of solid supercores and top-hung floors supported by large trusses.
- Iteration B: Further articulation of the truss language, along with an envelope system that integrates natural ventilation and shading.
- Iteration C (Final Design): A culmination of previous concepts, incorporating suspended floor systems, supercolumns, and an articulated facade envelope.
Structural System & Load Transfer
The 8-story building (40m x 40m site) integrates an innovative structural system that optimizes load distribution and material efficiency.
Primary Structural Components:
- Supercolumns & Cores: Act as the primary load-bearing elements, channeling vertical loads efficiently.
- Trusses & Suspended Floors: A lightweight truss system allows cantilevered spaces and open interiors.
- Gusset Plate Joinery: Metal connections between glulam beams provide stability while maintaining a seamless aesthetic.
- Expansion Joints & Acoustic Isolation: Rubber isolation layers are used to absorb vibrations and accommodate structural expansion.
Load Transfer Mechanism– Shown in the three sections
- Orange Arrows → Represent primary loads transferred through supercolumns and cores.
- Cyan Arrows → Indicate suspended loads supported by tensile steel elements.
- Pink Arrows → Depict horizontal load transfers, crucial for stabilizing the upper trusses.
- Green Arrows → Highlight secondary load transfers, particularly where the staircase ties together the five vertical cores.
Material Considerations & Detailing
- CLT Flooring + Concrete Layer: A hybrid flooring system combining CLT with 10cm of power-troweled concrete enhances acoustic performance and thermal mass.
- Cantilevered CLT Slabs: Used for the peripheral structural elements, showcasing the potential of lightweight timber engineering.
- Facade Envelope: Consists of bio-based insulation panels and high-performance glazing to optimize energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
Concept detail of a selected junction – showing tension and compression elements
Primary beams join the super columns and cores and are allowed to be continuous through their span till the facade. Secondary beams tie these primary beams, and further tertiary beams on the outermost grip, tie the whole building together. The junctions of primary beams and the outer-tertiary beams have a gusset plate joinery that also gives provision for the tensile steel cables to hold the frame on each floor. The Gusset plates ( Metal joinery between glulam elements), are designed to be concealed and used with structural resin glue.
A Regenerative Approach: Beyond Sustainability
N.E.S.T. does not merely aim for carbon neutrality—it sets a precedent for carbon-negative architecture. By using sustainably sourced timber and promoting local material ecosystems, the project actively contributes to:
- Carbon Sequestration: The stored carbon in timber offsets emissions from construction and operation.
- Circular Economy: Timber waste is minimized through prefabrication and modular construction techniques.
- Urban Regeneration: The research center plays a key role in Sant Adrià del Besòs’ transition toward a greener future.
Conclusion: N.E.S.T. as a Model for Future Cities
The N.E.S.T. Research Center is more than just a building—it is a living experiment in sustainable urban development. By integrating innovative timber technology, research-driven design, and a commitment to ecological regeneration, the project serves as a prototype for future cities that harmonize with nature.
This initiative not only redefines timber construction but also establishes a new paradigm for resilient, human-centric urbanism—a Biocity where architecture is an extension of the natural world.
