The Final Step in Timber Transformation chain: The Nest Timber Research Center is the last stage in the timber process, where materials are questioned, tested, and developed further.
The building spans 8,142 sqm, housing public functions, workspaces and residential units. The nine-story building features a highly permeable ground floor, integrating public interfaces like sculpture gardens and workshops to engage the city. Designed for visibility, its strategic placement along major transport corridors enhances urban imagability, reinforcing its role as a research and innovation hub in the Besòs industrial landscape.
Keywords: Timber transformation chain, Sustainable forestry, Sustainable construction, Knowledge chains, Public Engagement, Integrated Living, Collaborative Workspaces
Urban Synthesis
The Timber Research Center is strategically located to optimize urban connectivity and environmental performance. It responds to Barcelona’s existing infrastructure, creating a cohesive research ecosystem while integrating sustainable mobility strategies.
The permeable ground floor enhances public engagement, while upper levels are dedicated to research, education, and residential functions, promoting a live-work-learn environment that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.
Structure, Program, and Topology
The center is designed using a modular grid system that enhances adaptability. The primary structure consists of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) slabs and Glulam beams, ensuring structural stability while significantly reducing embodied carbon.
Structural Elements:
- CLT panels (used for floors, walls, and roofs) provide high thermal mass and load-bearing capacity.
- Glulam beams enhance long-span capabilities, reducing the need for internal supports.
- Prefabricated connections ensure faster assembly and deconstruction, promoting circularity in materials.
Program Distribution [ECOSYSTEMS]
The 8,142 sqm center is divided into distinct zones:
- Research Labs (2,500 sqm): Facilities for material testing, robotic fabrication, and timber innovation.
- Educational & Co-working Spaces (1,800 sqm): Lecture halls, exhibition areas, and shared workspaces.
- Residential Units (500 sqm): Housing for researchers and students, reducing commuting emissions.
- Café & Public Spaces (700 sqm): Serving as an interface between researchers and the community.
Energy
The center serves as the final step in the timber transformation chain, critically examining and advancing material applications through cutting-edge research. Its annual energy consumption totals 631,065 kWh, averaging 1,728 kWh daily, with the Advanced Fab Labs consuming the lion’s share at 391,795 kWh, followed by the structural testing lab (82,050 kWh) and biotechnology lab (70,500 kWh). Residences use 107,500 kWh, while public spaces like the library and lecture hall account for approximately 25,000 kWh each.
Sustainability is at the core of N.E.S.T.’s design, leveraging Barcelona’s abundant natural resources—over 2,500 hours of annual sunshine and strong coastal winds—to integrate renewable energy solutions. Rooftop solar panels and facade-integrated piezoelectric wind energy systems harness these elements, reducing reliance on external power. The center also produces 7 m³ of biogas daily from organic waste generated by its café, 500 sqm of residences, and 240 occupants. This biogas meets the café’s cooking demands (5-6 m³/day), with surplus stored for peak use, cutting CO₂ emissions by approximately 3.5 metric tons annually. The biogas system includes a 40 m³ biodigester and supporting tanks, drawing inspiration from successful implementations like the University of Dar es Salaam’s project.
Beyond on-site energy production, N.E.S.T. explores broader ecological impact through the proposed Besòs Renewable Energy Grid. Utilizing the Eix Besòs industrial zone’s 400,000 m² of rooftop space, solar panels could generate 67-151 GWh/year, while 5-10 wind turbines (2 MW each) could add 20-50 GWh/year, totaling 87-201 GWh annually. This microgrid would ensure a 24/7 energy supply, balancing daytime solar with nighttime wind power, and could share surplus energy locally, enhancing grid resilience.
Passive strategies further reduce energy needs by 10-20%, incorporating features like natural ventilation, green roofs, and thermal mass flooring. Situated in an area transitioning from industrial decay to ecological renewal—symbolized by the Besòs River cleanup—N.E.S.T. reimagines Sant Adrià de Besòs as a model for regenerative urban development. By blending commercial, industrial, and natural elements, it aligns with Barcelona’s sustainability goals, positioning the region as a potential low-carbon, self-sustaining industrial hub.
Water
Located on a site near the revitalized Besòs River, N.E.S.T. integrates a circular water system to meet its annual demand of 7,489,785 liters, slightly exceeded by a supply of 7,554,916 liters. This system comprises three grades: Grade 1 (25.52%, 1,928,140 L) from the city’s potable supply for residential and lab use; Grade 2 (22.93%, 1,732,074 L) from rainwater harvesting for non-potable purposes like washing and slop sinks in fab labs; and Grade 3 (51.55%, 3,894,702 L) from recycled wastewater, treating 65% of sink and shower water for reuse in landscaping and toilets.
Rainwater harvesting is a cornerstone of N.E.S.T.’s approach, leveraging green roofs, bioswales, and permeable surfaces to capture 1,732,074 liters annually. Monthly rainfall is multiplied by collection area and adjusted for surface absorption, ensuring efficient storage for Barcelona’s dry summer months. Green roofs, with 12-20 cm soil substrates suited for drought-resistant Mediterranean plants like grasses and herbs, retain moisture, slow runoff, and mitigate floods while enhancing biodiversity. A secondary filtration layer and healthy root systems purify water for reuse, applicable to both flat and sloped roofs with a 1% drainage slope.
Water recycling is enhanced by an on-site constructed wetland, treating wastewater through aerobic digesters or natural systems, complemented by visible features like water gardens. This reduces municipal water dependence and supports landscaping needs, totaling 782,269 liters yearly: indoor spaces (30,217 L), outdoor public gardens (33,551 L), public landscaping (277,137 L), and private residential gardens (441,364 L). Efficiency is maximized with low-pressure drip irrigation, 5 cm mulching to curb evaporation, native drought-resistant plants, and hydrozoning to cluster similar water needs. Optional smart irrigation with weather sensors further optimizes usage.
N.E.S.T.’s water strategy aligns with case studies showing green roofs and smart rainwater systems retaining up to 75.6% of rainfall, with modular blue-green roofs excelling in stormwater management. By integrating collection, treatment, and reuse, N.E.S.T. positions itself as a sustainable hub, contributing to the ecological regeneration of Sant Adrià de Besòs.
Envelope
Envelope Development: A Multi-Layered Approach
The building envelope is developed across four distinct facades, each tailored to its orientation and climatic exposure. Through a combination of high-performance materials and innovative design strategies, the envelope enhances durability, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort.
PTFE Coated Glass Fiber Open Mesh Fabric
This ultra-light, durable polymer resists UV light, pollution, and algae growth, remaining virtually maintenance-free. Its transparent, tinted, or fritted options allow for strategic light control, reducing solar gain while maintaining visual connectivity.
Metal Tensile Bracing Cords
These high-strength steel or stainless steel cables resist wind loads and lateral forces, stabilizing the facade while keeping its structural profile minimal. The result is a visually light yet mechanically robust system.
Glulam Beams: A Natural Contrast
Engineered glulam beams offer long spans with reduced material use, reinforcing the lightweight facade system while adding warmth and textural contrast against the industrial elements.
Material Palette: Crafting a Sensory Experience
The building’s materiality is a harmonious blend of exposed wood, concrete, and metal, carefully curated for performance and aesthetics. Key elements include:
- Pine with a clear coat – Celebrates natural grain while ensuring longevity.
- Earth-toned concrete – Provides a grounding contrast to the wooden textures.
- Coloured concrete and stained wood – Highlights specific design features.
- Hot-dipped galvanized steel – Essential for corrosion resistance against coastal winds.
Harnessing Energy Through Smart Facades
One of the most innovative aspects of the N.E.S.T. Research Center is its piezoelectric textile facade. This permeable “bark” not only regulates sun and wind exposure but also harvests energy. Embedded piezoelectric patches convert wind movement into electricity, simultaneously diffusing harsh gusts and improving ventilation.
Optimized Thermal and Light Performance
The facade employs an opacity gradient fritting pattern, tuned for optimal daylight and heat management:
- SW-SE facades – Reduce heat gain through minimized solar exposure.
- NE-NW facades – Maximize daylight penetration without significant overheating.
To further enhance interior comfort, reflective thermal-insulating polyester curtains modulate heat transfer. By blocking heat during the day and retaining warmth at night, these curtains significantly improve energy efficiency.
Material Carbon Footprint
A Building Passport System tracks the embodied carbon and lifecycle impact of each material used.
Material Strategies:
- Locally sourced timber (within 500 km radius) reduces transport emissions by 60% compared to imported materials.
- Lime and earth-based interior finishes enhance biodegradability and air quality.
- Design for Disassembly (DfD) principles ensure 90% material recovery potential at end-of-life.
Conclusion: A Living Blueprint for Sustainable Cities
The Timber Research Center exemplifies a new paradigm in sustainable urban development, demonstrating how timber innovation, decentralized energy, and circular material strategies can redefine contemporary architecture. With its focus on low-carbon design, renewable energy integration, and ecological resilience, the center sets a precedent for future climate-positive developments. By leveraging advanced timber construction techniques, passive design strategies, and closed-loop resource cycles, it proves that sustainability and high-performance architecture can go hand in hand.
