Honourable Mention International Prize, FRPO Rodriguez & Oriol

DH PALENCIA, Spain

Motivation of the jury. The Cathedral of Energy: Beyond Functionalism

Should architecture dedicated to energy production be reduced to mere “machines for living”, designed with the cold, singular focus on industrial efficiency? We must argue that it should not. On the contrary, when a building – one that bears the vital responsibility of providing thermal energy to its community – becomes a place of human interaction, it must transcend its utilitarian roots to become true “architecture”. It must speak to the soul as much as it serves the grid.

Throughout history, the most profound architectural expressions were found in cathedrals. This structure seeks to reclaim that spiritual significance. Enveloped in a translucent resin skin, it creates an interior realm bathed in ethereal natural light. The elliptical floor plan is not a mere aesthetic choice; it is isomorphic to the sacred spaces of antiquity, designed to intuitively embrace and guide the flow of human movement.

The structural logic further reinforces this connection. When slender steel members interlace in a complex space-truss, their silhouettes perform a rhythmic dance, evoking the intricate rib vaults of Gothic architecture. This is where engineering meets choreography. The facade, a continuous translucent membrane, creates a fractal play of multilayered shadows, generating a “new surface” that defies conventional boundaries.

When people step into this “Cathedral of Renewable Energy”, they are not merely visiting a power plant. The subtle modulations of natural light allow them to physically sense the vitality of energy itself. In this space, the act of sustaining our modern world through light and heat is elevated to a ritual, reminding us of a contemporary form of prayer – a deep, collective reverence for the forces of nature that power our lives.