"Each variety of stone offers multiple expressive possibilities that become active as a function of the treatment used"

How have you used stone in the project?
Stone has been used as a material that contributes to the understanding of the project, from manifesting its sturdy presence in the landscape, forming part of this place, to recovering the character of the exterior covering of intermediate areas.

What type of stone was used in the work and why?
Two varieties of limestone have been used in the work.
Local, unfinished, rough limestone covering the exterior of the concrete walls; this stone has the same texture and dimensions as that used in the walls delimiting the farms of the island's landscape.
Flagstones of 8 cm-thick limestone have been used in the flooring of the exposition hall, trimmed and chiseled on site, and the irregular shapes have been arranged as though this were an outdoor area.

What do you consider the best characteristics or qualities of the stone when working with the material?
Stone, each variety of stone, offers multiple expressive possibilities that become active as a function of the treatment used. This is one of the characteristics that we consider most important, its capacity to contribute to the understanding of the intentions of the project through its use.

Did difficulties arise with the use of this material when the project was carried out?
The insular condition of Ibiza posed an important challenge, not only for the use of stone, but in general during project construction. The difficulty with the supply, manipulation, and artisanal laying of the stone, together with other prolonged deadlines, finally became an opportunity, as much to obtain the maximum benefit of the local materials as to strengthen the project thanks to this condition of the work.

How did you relate and harmonize the stone with the rest of the materials used in the project?
The stone is used with the desire to contribute to the relationship of this first building with this place, as much though the landscape of the walls of the island's rural farms as through the flagstones used in the exterior and intermediate areas also found throughout Ibizan architecture.

From your perspective, what importance or significance does the stone have in the architecture in general?
Stone is, as we have previously stated, a material that allows multiple expressive possibilities. Its continued use for millennia in many of the best works of architecture confirms its importance. An importance maintained today and that grows as it contributes to the manifestation and understanding of the most propositive qualities of an architectural work.

What has receiving the Premio de Arquitectura PIEDRA 2010 meant to you?
To receive a prize for a work is, as it cannot be said any other way, an enormous satisfaction. It means generous recognition for all of the people and groups that have participated and made the creation of this first building possible. A long-term project initiated and led for a decade by the Ayuntamiento de Santa Eulalia. We hope that this new recognition contributes to the finishing of the group of buildings belonging to the Ibiza Palacio de Congresos.