Mercado Central

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Souce: Own Photo

Mercado Central is one of Europe’s biggest markets that signifies the trade and cutting edge of technology in Valencia during the early 20th century. Embodying a modernist Catalan architectural style, the market comprises of ceramic partitions, mosaic domes and decorative glasswork that juxtapose with its neighbouring buildings, such as Lonja de la Seda. The dome that is made of iron, decorative ceramic glass, particularly exemplifies the colourful and ornamental charactertistics of art nouveau. 

The building is split into two zones and consists of a ground floor and basement; whilst the basement is now converted into a carpark, the ground floor is where trading occurs and is made of brick tiles, supported by white iron columns and vaults. The white paint on the iron vaults and columns adds a layer of protection and helps prolong the building’s life cycle. 

There are no obvious signs of metal oxidation due to its layer of paint that acts as a protection barrier. Since columns must withstand high compressive loads, it is likely that cast iron is used. Being the fourth most abundant element by weight in the earth’s crust, iron can be recycled to produce products of equal strength. However, iron is extracted from the iron ore by heating it with coal, which is a non-renewable energy and emits carbon dioxide during the process, contributing to the greenhouse effect. 
Likewise, the glass ceramic is still in good form. It can be recycled and reused when the building reaches its end of life, reducing volume of waste sent to landfills and energy consumption when manufacturing new glass. It can also be used as a form of aggregate, fibreglass insulation or flux.

Source: Own Photo
Source: Own Photo



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Lonja de La Seda

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Source: Own Photo

Known locally as ‘Silk Exchange’, Lonja de la Seda was built in the 15th century during Valencia’s economic growth. Whilst it was used for trading in silk, it was also a centre of commerce. The building denotes a Gothic civic architectural style, which displays the power and wealth of Valencia during the 15th and 16th centuries as it used to be one of the greatest Meditteranean mercantile cities. This is particularly emphasised in the Trading Hall, where the enormous open space is dominated by finely carved spiral pillars that are supposed to resemble palm trees alongside those integrated into the walls that display extravagent skills of craftmanship. The vaulted ceilings are used not only for spreading loads, but also to add to the triumphant appearance. 

The structure is composed of stone masonry with irregular sized stones, though the variation in size is not as much as that seen in the Valencia Cathedral. Although stone masonry is weak in tension, there are no flying buttresses to help dissipate the load and add additional strength. 

Signs of stone deterioration, such as cracks and holes, are observed on the exterior and interior walls. Whilst the exterior erosion of stone resemble that of the Valencia Cathedral, I would say there are less obvious signs of deterioration in comparison. To preserve it, a coating of paint can be added to protect it from corrosion.


Source: Own Photo

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Valencia Cathedral

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Source: Own Photo

Built in the 13th - 15th century as a replacement of the main mosque after King Jaime I of Aragon reshaped the city as a Christian city from the Islamic population, this Gothic style structure consists of a cathedral and an octagonal bell tower, El Micalet, which together give shape to a cruciform with transcepts. It has 3 main entrances, each denoting a different style of architecture, including Romanesque, Neoclassic and Baroque. The main entrance reflects a Baroque style, emphasising a theatrical dimension that resembles the spectacular way architecture was done during that period. In the 17th century, Neoclassical architecture became popular and building work was undertaken to include neoclassical elements to the cathedral. However, in 1972, architects argued that the cathedral should remain its original Gothic form and deconstruction of the neoclassical elements commenced.

The structure is made of stone masonry in which stones are laid in rows and bonded together with mortar. This provides support and protection as stones are very heavy, though it meant that it would have been probelmatic to build. Due to the climate of Valencia, thick stones keep the inside of the building cool, especially during hot summer months, whilst heat doesn’t get trapped inside.


Source: Own Photo

Source: Own Photo

Masonry is very strong in compression, but poor in tension. Therefore, the flying buttresses are designed not only for its aesthetics but also to add additional strength to the building by dissipating load from the roof. Stone masonry usually uses sedimentary stone including limestone and sandstone. 

The vaulted ceilings are also used for spreading force and weight whilst providing an impression of height and maginificence that many gothic cathedrals embrace. 

As the building was constructed centuries ago, obvious signs of stone staining and deterioration, such as cracks, holes and chips are observed, mainly caused by weather conditions. Rain water can physically and chemically act on stone by decomposing, oxidating and hydrating the minerals contained in them as a result of salt weathering. Salt is naturally present in the atmosphere and mainly affects limestone. When it rains, Calcium Sulphate is produced and acts on the stone whilst it is wet and precipitates into crystals on the surface when it is dry, weathering the limestone. 

Wind can also cause erosion as it carries dust and other small particles with it that can be abrasive. Moreover, temperature changes can result in expansion and contraction, causing cracks to form. However, the decay of stone also depends on whether there are different types of stones used together in the masonry. If so, deterioration of stone may be a result of mutual decay where chemicals brought down from one stone deteriorate its neighbouring one. 

To preserve the building material, a coating of paint can be added to protect it from corrosion. 


Source: Own Photo

Source: Own Photo

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Edificio Veles E Vents

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Source: Own Photo

Source: Own Photo

Situated at the port of Valencia, David Chipperfield converted the area into a focal point for social events, predominantly designed for the 2007 America’s Cup. The use of material reflects its minimalistic form, primarily consisting of only 3 elements: concrete, metal and timber. The concrete building is designed in a way so that the each floor is stacked and overlapped to provide shade and open views of the sea whilst accommodating to the strong coastal winds. Each floor slab is cantilevered to achieved this effect. The ceiling is made of materials that can withstand heavy loads such as aluminium and steel whilst the facade is made of steel and glass curtain walling. Due to the proximity to the sea and metal’s tendency to rust with the presence of water, the steel cladding is primed with protective coating, which gives it its white finish. Moreover, seawater containing dissolved sulphate can corrode the concrete structure as a result of external sulphate attack. A protective layer of epoxy or acrylic resin can be used to preserve/protect concrete.

Timber is used for the floor of the open platforms; although no significant signs of deterioration are seen, problems in the future may arise as dampness, overexposure to sunlight and windy conditions can cause oxidation, weathering and fungal attack to the timber. At the end of the building life cycle, the usage of timber wouldn’t be dissimilar to that of El Musical, however, reusing it may be a problem as it is likely that the seawater and exterior condition will have weathered it down. Like Ciudad de Las Artes y Ciencias, concrete can be recycled in the same way.

Source: Own Photo

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El Musical

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Source: Own Photo
Source: Own Photo
Source: Own Photo

Situated in Plaza del Rosario, El Musical is an exposed concrete structure that takes the form of a U-shape. Due to its nature being a musical theatre, acoustic properties of the structural component is vital. Concrete walls and floors have the mass needed to effectively reduce the transmission of sound, which is important when different events are happening at the same time. Wood is also a material seen throughout the building, which is good for sound absorption as it prevents echo and house.

The interior juxtaposes the buildings around that area and even its original retained facade. With it being completely separated from the exterior, perhaps, the only communication between the two is light that is filtered through the narrow timber slats on the wall and roof. The aggregates below the concrete wall are exposed as the smooth surface layer is removed, which gives a more durable finish and can extend the material’s life cycle. The interior floor in the atrium is made of white marble tiles, which reflects the light that seeps through the perforations on the roof whilst also keeping the building cool. However, it is prone to slippage, which is why the exterior marble floor has a honed finish as suppose to a polished one.


Source: Own Photo

The concrete shows no signs of deterioration as it is not exposed to the exterior. Similarly, the marble tiles and timber slats have not deteriorated or aged either.

At the end of Building Life Cycle, concrete can be recycled by being crushed into gravel and reused as an aggregate in the making of new concrete. Wood, being a natural resource, is renewable and can be recycled and reused. It also has low embodied energy and sequests carbon, meaning less carbon dioxide is given off during the manufacturing process whilst storing the carbon from the atmosphere, reducing the effect of greenhouse gases. However, to decide whether it is a sustainable material, other considerations such as whether it is locally grown or transported from other countries must be taken into account. Furthermore, wood is combustible and is likely that the timber used is coated with flame-retardant paints. To extend its life cycle, a resin or paint can be coated to protect it.





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Ciudad de Las Artes y Ciencias

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Source: Own Photo

Source: Own Photo

Consisting of 8 structures, Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias is a linear strip that also carries with it water from the Turia River in the vessels that surround the structures. The science musem, designed by Santiago Calatrava, was one of the structures that we explored. Supported by 5 concrete pillars, known locally as ‘trees’, the joints secured between the roof and facade are of a flexible material with rotating movements. The organic roof structure is made of steel lattices likely to be containing less than 1% carbon to provide great strength without being too brittle and are joined at the south elevation and ‘trees’. The principle structural component of the building is made by pouring white concrete with steel reinforcement into a mould on site, making it easier to build the geometrically complex structure as it would’ve required special formwork. Because concrete is good in compression but poor in tension, reinforcement is added to give it tensile strength. The curtain walling facade is likely to be made of precast steel and float glass.


Source: Own Photo

Source: Own Photo

There are a few signs of conrete deterioration where cracks are present. This is probably due to carbonation of concrete causing the rust on the steel reinforcement to expand, thus spall. Repair and maintenance are also required on areas where paint has fallen off. Epoxy or acrylic resin can be used to preserve/protect concrete, thus elongating its life cycle. 

As for steel, no obvious signs of deterioration are observed yet, perhaps because it doesn’t rain often in Valencia and it is not situated near the coast where seawater increases the corrosion effects. Moreover, Valencia is not a humid region, further decreasing the effect of oxidation. Its life cycle can be prolonged by passive protection, such as adding a coating of paint or galvanising it. 

The life span of glass is typically very long as it is resistant to scratching, abrasion and chemical attack to a certain extent as lime and strong alkali can degrade it. 


Source: Own Photo

Source: Own Photo

Together with the white concrete, the steel and curtain glass walling helps play a role in the relationship between sun reflection and penetration. White is used to reflect sun light, which is enhanced by the white ceramic mosaic observed in the other structures on the strip whilst the glass facade allows light to penetrate into the free-plan interior.

Despite its aesthetics, it can also reduce the use of artifical lighting, thus lower energy consumption. However, glass is also a good conductor of heat with a transmittance of 10% - 30% in the summertime, meaning more energy will potentially be needed in the summer to keep the building cool. Low-E double glazing would be ideal for the building. With an open interior space, less materials such as steel, granite, concrete and glass are used, reducing the creation of waste.

Reinforced concrete can be recycled as the steel reinforcement can be removed with magnets whilst the concrete can be crushed into gravel and used as an aggregate in new building materials. The steel lattices on the roof and facade can also be recycled, though reusing offers greater advantage to the environment as it doesn’t require any reprocessing. Similarly, glass can be recycled and used as a component in glass as flux or remelted, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions as it requires less energy than producing new glass. It may also be used as a form of insulation - fibreglass - or as aggregate in concrete.

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At First Glance

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Map of Valencia | Source: google.com

View of Valencia taken from the Valencia Cathedral | Source: Own Photo


Valencia, a vibrant yet cultural city, is a place where architectural juxtaposition and relationship can concurrently exist.


Source: Own Photo
Source: Own Photo

The intricate connection of different geometries in Ciudad de give shape to complex structures that reflect a futuristic feel, whilst the Lonja de la Seda and Valencia Cathedral in Old Town bring you back to the past. 

Source: Own Photo

As you enter the Old Town from Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias, the whole landscape transforms from open public space to narrow streets that have left marks from its history. 

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