Architecture of unique buildings
Introduction
The Singular building, located in Pamplona, was built between 1968 and 1976 and is currently the tallest building in Navarra.[2][3] It is made up of three independent structures that, together, make up a single architectural complex. Its design was the work of a team of five architects and was executed by the company Construcciones Flores between 1971-1976. Currently, it is the highest in Pamplona, reaching 70 m. high.[1].
Location
Located in the center of the city, the building is located at the intersection of Avenida del Ejercito "Avenida del Ejercito (Pamplona)") and Avenida de Pío XII&action=edit&redlink=1 "Avenida de Pío widening, raised in the interior glacis of the citadel.[4].
History
During the 1960s, the Pamplona City Council received part of the land occupied by military installations[5] that, at that time, were under its custody. Estanislao de la Quadra-Salcedo called a competition for the construction of the new enclave.[6].
The building was built between 1968 and 1976. The objective of the council was to build in that space a "unique building" that would stand as a reference within the urban environment in which it was located.[3].
The rules of the competition for the construction of the building clearly established that it had to respect the historical character of the area. This historicist respect referred to the enclave located in front of the site: the citadel.[3]This Renaissance fortification from the 19th century, which formed a defensive part of Pamplona, is currently a cultural and recreational space. Therefore, in addition to preserving this historical character, the building had to have its own architectural identity. It was not just about erecting a high-rise building, but about creating a construction that reflected the continuity between the past, present and future of the city.[3].
The design of the building was carried out by architects Manuel Jaén Albaitero, who led the team, Manuel Jaén de Zulueta Miguel Ángel Ruiz-Larrea and Luis Lozano Giménez. Likewise, Javier Guibert Tabar participated in the direction of the work.