TELEFONICA DIAGONAL ZEROZERO TOWER NEWS 65 - Figueras

NEWS 65
ENGLISH
SPAIN, Barcelona
TELEFONICA DIAGONAL
ZEROZERO TOWER
Shaping the city’s
new skyline

Project
details:
Name:
Telefónica Diagonal
ZeroZero Tower
Location:
Zona Forum, Avinguda
Diagonal, Barcelona
Architecture and
design: EMBA_
Estudi Massip-Bosch
Arquitectes
Height:
110 metres
Number of floors:
26
Construction company:
FCC
Client:
Zona Franca
Consortium, Barcelona
City Council
Total floor area:
34.000 m 2
Assembly hall capacity:
340 plazas
Product:
ZeroZero custom chair
by Figueras
‘The external form and the view of the building from a distance
are a response to the city; the close-up view and internal forms,
to the building’s functions’
SPAIN, Barcelona
TELEFONICA DIAGONAL
ZEROZERO TOWER
A MODULAR
AUDITORIUM FOR
NUMBER ‘ZERO’
ON BARCELONA’S
AVINGUDA
DIAGONAL
with:
ENRIC MASSIP-BOSCH - EMBA_Estudi Massip-Bosch Arquitectes
The building is the corporate headquarters of Telefónica
in Catalonia and houses the company’s Research and
Development Department, one of the most advanced in the
country.
Where did you draw your inspiration for the original design
of the façade and volume of the Telefónica building?
The volume of the building is determined by its urban setting.
The rhomboid ground plan conforms to the grid pattern of the
Eixample district, which defines the plot; and its height, 110
metres, is a way of marking the beginning of Avinguda Diagonal
as a reference point in Barcelona. The building is visible from the
other end of Avinguda Diagonal, at the entrance to Barcelona
from Tarragona, so it serves as a landmark for the point where
the Eixample district reaches the sea.
The façade is a curtain wall made of white screen-printed
glass because we wanted the building to be a landmark that
changes depending on the light and weather. This is achieved
with the white colour, which reflects the various tones in the
environment.
Enric Massip-Bosch
EMBA_Estudi Massip-Bosch Arquitectes
What needs did the auditorium have to meet, and how have
they been addressed?
Right from the start, the goal was to make the assembly hall
a versatile space, in terms of both its size and use. It was clear
to us that it should be above ground level to take advantage
of natural light. It’s oriented towards the northeast, so the
light that reaches the space throughout the day is indirect
and very soft, just right for the kind of functions held there.
The upper floor location also provides a view of the sea
horizon, which lends the space a unique character. Another
thing that distinguishes the auditorium from those found in
other corporate headquarters is its 350-seat capacity and
the distribution of seating in stalls and two amphitheatres,
which can be separated from the main part of the hall to hold
simultaneous events.
We wanted the auditorium to be in harmony with the design
of the rest of the building, which is very austere and free
of flourishes, though luxurious in terms of dimensions and
materials. That’s why everything is white, except the carpeting
and seating, which are black.

ENRIC MASSIP-BOSCH - ARCHITECT
Enric Massip-Bosch was born in Barcelona. He
earned a degree in architecture from the UPC’s
Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB). He is
a lecturer in Architectural Projects at the Technical
University of Catalonia (UPC). From 1987 to 1989,
he worked at Tokyo Polytechnic University under a
grant provided by the Japanese government.
In 1990 he founded EMBA_ESTUDI MASSIP-BOSCH
ARQUITECTES. Projects executed: a five-star hotel
and shopping centre in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), the
What does the chair selected contribute to the functionality
of the auditorium and the decor?
The seat we’ve installed in the assembly hall of Diagonal
ZeroZero is a design developed by Figueras based on existing
elements. Our goal was to create a chair that meets the specific
needs of Telefónica and can also be used in other similar cases.
The main features that differentiate the chair from similar
ones are the integration of the writing tablet in the armrest,
the dimensions of the chair – it’s exceptionally wide – and the
backrest, which is higher than usual and therefore provides
a greater sense of privacy for users, particularly in the
amphitheatres.
‘The main features that
differentiate the chair from similar
ones are the integration of the
writing tablet in the armrest and
the dimensions of the chair, which
is wider than usual’
TJ Collection headquarters and logistics centre
in Moscow (Russia), squares in Leucate and
Carcassonne (France); and in Spain, the Telefónica
Diagonal ZeroZero Tower in Barcelona, the mixeduse
Volpelleres Oest building in Sant Cugat del
Vallés, and a new prison in Tàrrega.
EMBA has been featured in exhibitions at the
RIBA in London, in Paris, Melbourne, Sofia, Porto
and Montreal, and at the Architecture Biennial of
Venice and the Architecture Biennial of Bucharest.
Amphitheatre Layout
The innovative design of the chair is reflected in the materials
used as well as its geometry. In line with the core idea for the
building as a whole, the materials were selected for their ability
to meet multiple needs. The high backrest and armrests are
made of black-stained moulded plywood, which leaves the
grain visible and increases the durability of the chairs. The
Danish fabric used for the upholstery has a natural feel that
makes it extremely pleasant to the touch and it also acts as
an excellent acoustic absorber. The chair serves as a neutral
element, suitable for use in a range of situations where an
assembly hall or conference room needs to be equipped with
multifunctional seating that delivers comfort combined with
clean, simple lines.
Auditorium Layout
‘The façade is a curtain wall made of white screen-printed glass because
we wanted the building to be a landmark that changes depending on
the light and weather. This is achieved with the white colour.’
more information:
www.emba.cat
www.figueras.com
3

‘The new timber flooring and seating within the Concert Hall lift the
level of light and joy to the performance experience’
AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
QPAC
with:
RICHARD COULSON - COX RAYNER ARCHITECTS
The refurbishment of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre
(QPAC) is the first stage of a comprehensive master plan aimed
at enabling the venue to engage with its environment in a much
more integrated way than was previously possible.
The master plan is conceived to retain the integrity of the
existing architecture while addressing operational issues related
to disability access, outdated technologies, and the upgrading of
amenities and facilities.
The first stage of the project includes the complete interior
refurbishment of the QPAC’s two main theatres, the Concert
‘The greatest challenge for the QPAC
refurbishment project was to execute all the
work in a 16-week close-down period’
Richard Coulson
Cox Rayner Architects
Hall and the Lyric Theatre, and modifications to the foyer and
circulation spaces to facilitate disability access and relieve
congestion. The opportunity was also taken to reconsider the
whole sequence of circulation movement from the street to the
theatres, and from food and beverage spaces to the external
environment.
In the theatres, stalls seating, stages, lighting, and rigging systems
were extensively upgraded while respecting the spatial integrity
of the interior spaces.
The interior remodelling of the Lyric Theatre and Concert Hall has
generated an outstanding response from the public, orchestras,
performers, and the QPAC’s technical operators thanks to
dramatic improvement in acoustics and working conditions.
The changes implemented have led to significant gains for the
QPAC in terms of public accessibility and performance diversity,
as well as allowing it to appeal to wider audiences.
more information:
www.qpac.com.au
www.coxarchitecture.com.au

Project
details:
Name:
Queensland Performing
Arts Centre
Location:
Corner of Grey St and
Melbourne St, South
Bank 4101 Brisbane,
Queensland, Australia
Architecture and
design:
Richard Coulson, Cox
Rayner Architects &
Planners
Construction
company:
Abigroup Contractors
Pty Limited
Client:
Public
Auditorium capacity:
Concert Hall: 1600 seats
Lyric Theatre: 2000 seats
Product:
Customized 13113 Sensó
chair by Figueras
www.figueras.com
‘The Sensó model seats installed in the Concert Hall and Lyric
Theatre were customized with wooden trim, and their dimensions
were adjusted according to the needs of each space’
RICHARD COULSON - ARCHITECT
Richard Coulson graduated from the University of
Queensland in 1992 with a degree in architecture.
He joined Cox Rayner in March 2001, and since
then he has been a senior member of the design
team, working on various scaled competitions and
projects. He became a director of the firm in 2007.
Since 2003, he has been involved in master
planning for major projects, including Newstead
Riverpark, the QPAC, QUT Gardens Point, and
Bowen Hills. Richard was the project architect
for the Fujitsu Office Building, Newstead and the
Singapore Management University Administration
Building, Singapore, both benchmark commercial
office buildings.
Richard’s interest in sustainable design is reflected
in his directing the Energex Headquarters at
Newstead, awarded the first 6 Star Green
Star design in Queensland, and Green
Square North Tower, the first completed
6-star Green Star commercial project in
Queensland. Richard was the project
director for the QPAC redevelopment.
5

SPAIN, Huesca, Benasque
THE PEDRO PASCUAL SCIENCE
CENTRE OF BENASQUE
UCRANIA, Járkov
METALIST STADIUM
The Oblasny SportKomplex (OSK) Metalist,
commonly known as the Metalist Stadium,
is a multi-use sports complex located in
the city of Járkov (Ukraine). The venue is
currently owned by FC Metalist Kharkiv and
is used for holding football matches.
Designed by architect Z.V. Permilovskyi, the
building first opened its doors in 1926. In
2009 it underwent a major renovation so
that it could be used as a venue for the 2012
UEFA European Football Championship,
which will be co-hosted by Poland and
‘The CCBPP has won several awards
as an exemplary building for energy
efficiency and lighting’
The building was designed
as a unique facility
for holding high-level
scientific conferences.
Ukraine. Following completion of the
upgrading work, the stadium now seats
41,411 spectators.
The stadium’s VIP boxes are outfitted with
the Megaseat 9113 by Figueras, customized
with the club’s colours and crest.
more information:
www.metalist-arena.com
The Pedro Pascual Science Centre of
Benasque, an advanced research centre
located in the heart of the Pyrenees,
provides a pleasant setting where
professional researchers can share their
work.
The design of the building, by architect
Isabel Pascual, is based on a division of
functions, which are distributed on three
floors. A 180-seat auditorium on the second
floor has been outfitted with the Bonamusa
chair, which offers an elegant design and
premium comfort. The model delivers
maximum functionality thanks to its superb
stackability and an inconspicuous linking
system for forming rows.
FIGUERAS
LAUNCHES NEW
WEBSITE FOR
CHAIRS
www.figueraschairs.com
Figueras has launched a new website
that focuses exclusively on chairs. The
site is dynamic, clear, intuitive, and highly
practical. It is aimed at professionals
looking for designer chairs that are
comfortable, versatile, highly durable,
and functional, and at interior designers,
architects, and contractors responsible for
fitting out hotels and public spaces.
The site showcases six outstanding chairs
created by Figueras (Bonamusa, Delta
Plus, Tulipa, Delta, Venus, and DS Plus).
Upholstery colour and frame finish can be
customized to match specific needs and
applications. You can also decide if you
want chairs with writing tablets (for some
models), a linking system, or a practical
cart for easy transport and storage.
The bilingual website allows users to
request a quotation and save products of
interest so they can find them immediately
on later visits.
A special transport and storage cart makes
clearing the auditorium a quick and easy job.
more information:
www.benasque.org

SPAIN, Barcelona
EL MOLINO
THEATRE
FIGUERAS
DRESSES EL
MOLINO UP
IN SEQUIN
SPLENDOUR
The sails of EL MOLINO are set to once
again enrich Barcelona’s cultural agenda.
And Figueras was the company chosen
to create the seating that will add extra
sparkle to new shows at Barcelona’s
legendary music hall.
Fernando Salas, head of interior design for
the project, worked with the architectural
firm BOPBAA (Josep Bohigas, Francesc
Pla, and Iñaki Baquero) to achieve the
best possible fit with the requirements of
the hall. One of the main challenges was
the small size of the building. The solution
was to create a flexible multifunctional
space. The first stalls level features
made-to-measure movable seating that
allows for various hall configurations.
Tables were designed to offer spectators
the option of dining during the show.
Both chairs and tables are stackable,
and transport carts, which are also
customized, facilitate rapid storage. On
the second stalls level, chairs are fixed
to the floor behind a railing that serves
as a bar and allows spectators to dine
while enjoying the show. The pedestal
rotates through 360°, and chairs return
automatically to their original position
when vacated, ensuring an orderly
appearance in the hall.
But what would El Molino be without a
touch of light and colour? The Figueras
Design Centre worked hand-in-hand with
Swarovski to create customized seating
for the venue. Red leather upholstery
is emblazoned with the El Molino logo
using an innovative system that makes
it possible to embed the crystals in the
upholstery without any risk of scratching.
Thanks to this touch of glitter, the
seating makes a vital contribution to the
aesthetics of the hall.
more information:
www.elmolinobcn.com
www.figueras.com
7
The first stalls level
features made-tomeasure
movable seating
that allows for various
hall configurations

ON
OFF
THE
METAMORPHOSIS
OF SPACE
Why can’t an auditorium be used
to hold conferences?
Why can’t a conference room be
used as a theatre?
Why can’t a theatre be used to
hold a banquet?
HEADQUARTERS
& FACTORY
08186 Lliçà d’Amunt
Barcelona (Spain)
Tel. +34 938 445 050
Fax +34 938 445 070
info@figueras.com
For more information, visit our website:
www.figueras.com/mutaflex
The new Mutaflex movable seating
system makes it possible to use the
same space in different ways. The
way the system works is simple
and effective: the transformation
process, activated at the press of a
button, takes just minutes. Turning
a stalls seating area into an open
space is no longer just a possibility:
now it’s a reality.
8MIN.
FIGUERAS BARCELONA
Tel. +34 934 580 262
Fax +34 932 076 849
barcelona@figueras.com
FIGUERAS MADRID
Tel. +34 914 112 508
Fax +34 915 628 193
madrid@figueras.com
FIGUERAS SEATING USA
MIAMI
Phone 1-786 331 9433
Fax 1-786 331 9434
info@figueras-usa.com
www.figueras-usa.com
FIGUERAS SEATING ASIA
SINGAPORE
Phone +65 6514 4154
Fax:+65 6258 2154
info@figuerasasia.com
www.figuerasasia.com
FIGUERAS UK
LONDON
Tel. (44) 020 7251 8936
Fax (44) 020 7250 0537
info@figuerasuk.com
www.figuerasuk.com
FIGUERAS FRANCE
PARIS
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Fax (33) 1-43 42 44 22
info@figueras.fr
www.figueras.fr
FIGUERAS DEUTSCHLAND
KÖLN
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Fax 49-221 430 2813
info@figueras.de
www.figueras.de
FIGUERAS PORTUGAL
LISBOA
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Fax 351-(21) 759 87 93
info@figueras.pt
www.figueras.pt
www.serafi.net D.L.: B-22.679-2011