BTEK – Technology Interpretation Center / ACXT

© Aitor Ortiz

Architects: ACXT
Location: Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
Project Architect: Gonzalo Carro
Collaborators: Carlos Miguel Guimaraes & Javier Pérez Uribarri
Project Development: Gonzalo Carro & ATHOS (Pedro Berroya, Aitziber Goikoetxea)
Structure: Javier Eskubi, Amaia Oyón, Ángel Gómez
Project Area: 2,600 sqm
Budget: 2,600 sqm
Design year: 2006–2007
Construction year: 2007–2009
Photographer: Aitor Ortiz

BTEK is an interpretation centre for new technologies, aimed at student visitors.

The Centre’s promoter, Parque Tecnológico, S.A., (Technology Park) set out the following as the most important guidelines:

plan -01

© Aitor Ortiz

• Create a very flexible and varied exhibition space, able to accommodate all types of exhibitions.
• Installations should be highly energy efficient (geothermal systems for climate control) and that use renewable energy sources (a building-integrated photovoltaic system connected to a 60kw network).
• The geometry of the covering where the solar panels are integrated should be triangular—similar to the shape of Technology Park’s logo.

© Aitor Ortiz

The site’s location, on one of the highest points of the Vizcaya Technology Park and close to the Bilbao airport’s flight path for takeoffs and landings, helps with the aim of making the building a landmark in its landscape.