The Big Build IV - Innovative Yet Practical: Tall Buildings of the Future

THE BIG BUILD IV Innovative Yet Practical: Tall Buildings of the Future Enough?

Seminar-Workshop, Site Visits & Round Table

October, 13-14-15 Madrid 2025 Organizers

EVENT OVERVIEW

The Spanish Group of IABSE (International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering), the Escuela de Arquitectura, Ingeniería, Ciencia y Computación – STEAM of the Universidad Europea de Madrid, and the Escuela de Arquitectura of the University of Alcala (UAH), organize the Seminar – Workshop, Site Visits, and Round Table: The Big Build IV. Innovative Yet Practical: Tall Buildings of the Future.

Designers, contractors, and developers have traditionally had ambitions to build the world’s tallest that satisfy needs for density and city building but, in some cases, centered around ego / notoriety. Concepts are easy to develop but creating buildings that are ambitious yet practical are far more difficult. Practically focuses on feasibility with budgets that support a development Performa considering first cost, constructability, time to market, and in some cases enhanced long-term performance. With changes to climate due to carbon emissions, a heightened focus on sustainable, high-performance design is emerging. Building codes are beginning to mandate designs that reduce the impact on the environment while still upholding life safety as the ultimate mandate.

What are the most important considerations for innovative, yet practice tall building designs? How can advanced technologies such as machine learning and AI enhance our approaches to design and construction?

What is the future of building tall?

Organizing Committee

M. Dolores G. Pulido, Rosa Cervera Sardá, Roberto Revilla Angulo, Álvaro Serrano Corral, and Alfredo Cámara Casado Ningbo Guohua Finacial Tower, China, SOM

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EVENT PROGRAM

SEMINAR Mornings of October 13 and 14, 2025 Pages 4 and 5 Universidad Europea de Madrid WORKSHOP Afternoons and evenings of October 13 and 14, 2025 Pages 4 and 5 Universidad Europea de Madrid SITE VISITS Morning of October 15, 2025 Page 6 Madrid City Center ROUND TABLE Evening of October 15, 2025 Page 7 Universidad Europea de Madrid REGISTRATION Page 8 SPEAKERS & PANELISTS Pages 9 to 11 SOM EXHIBITION: NODE Morning of October 16, 2025 Pages 12 and 13 Escuela de Arquitectura, Universidad de Alcalá 3

SEMINAR – WORKSHOP PROGRAM When?

Seminar will promote a dialogue in tall building design where Architecture meets Structure and Academics meet Practice. The workshop will give students an approach to high-rise construction with quick exercises to develop innovative vertical structures. The objective will be to achieve the most effective and interesting model with the minimum CO2 emission. The work will be carried out in teams based on materials provided by the organizers.

Monday 13 & Tuesday 14, October 2025.

Monday 13 October 2025

09:30

09:45

10:45

11:00

Presentation

The Big Build IV An Evolution of Tall Building Design Through Structure

Break

Architectural Innovation with Algae: from Vision to Reality

MARK SARKISIAN Partner SOM

12:00

13:00

14:00

A tower is not a Big Building

Innovative Yet Practical: The Future of Tall Structures

Break

MARK SARKISIAN Partner SOM

THE BIG BUILD IV WORKSHOP. Part I: Digital design, model making

JAVIER GÓMEZ MATEO BERNABÉU Ingenieros

Where?

ROSA CERVERA SARDÁ Alcala University & Cervera Arquitectos

Auditorio Escuela de Arquitectura, Ingeniería, Ciencia y Computación - STEAM Universidad Europea de Madrid, c/ Tajo s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid

16:00 - 20:00

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SEMINAR – WORKSHOP PROGRAM When?

Tuesday 14 October 2025

09:30

10:30

Structures Influence on Architecture at All Scales

Smart Engineering for Tall Buildings

MARK SARKISIAN Partner SOM

ÁLVARO SERRANO CORRAL MC2 Estudio de Ingeniería

12:00

13:00 15:00 - 19:00

The Challenge of Designing and Constructing the Intricate Stainless-steel Façade of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Break

THE BIG BUILD IV WORKSHOP. Part II: Final presentation and critique

JORDI ALCAINE ARUP

Where?

Auditorio Escuela de Arquitectura, Ingeniería, Ciencia y Computación – STEAM; Universidad Europea de Madrid c/ Tajo s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid

Proyecto ESMASA: microalgas en la arquitectura, Alcorcón, Madrid Architect; Rosa Cervera Sardá Mechanical Engineer: Javier Sánchez Alejo

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SITE VISITS

Technical visits will be conducted to the Torres Emperador Castellana (formerly Torre Espacio) and Moeve (formerly Torre Cepsa), guided by technical staff involved in their design and construction, for the registered attendees of The Big Build IV.

When?

Wednesday morning, 15 October 2025

Where?

Torre Emperador Castellana Paseo de la Castellana, 259 D, 28046 Madrid Torre Moeve Paseo de la Castellana, 259 A, 28046 Madrid

Registration

Those interested in attending are kindly requested to send an email to geiabse@iabse.org, indicating the attendee’s given name and surnames, affiliation, and e-mail address.

Image on the felt: Torre Moeve Image on the right: Torre Emperador Castellana

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ROUND TABLE

Moderator Panelists

The Big Build IV. Innovative Yet Practical: Tall Buildings of the Future M. Dolores G. Pulido – Chair of the Spanish Group of IABSE Mark Sarkisian – SOM Rosa M. Cervera Sardá – University of Alcala & Cervera Arquitectos Patricio García – ARUP Álvaro Serrano Corral – MC2 Estudio de Ingeniería Javier Gómez Mateo – BERNABÉU Ingenieros

When?

Wednesday 15 October 2025, 18:00 h - 20:00 h

Where?

Auditorio Escuela de Arquitectura, Ingeniería, Ciencia y Computación - STEAM Universidad Europea de Madrid, c/ Tajo s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid

Diagonal Zero Zero Tower, Barcelona Architect: EMBA, Enric Massip - Bosch Structural Engineering: MC2 Estudio de Ingeniería

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THE BIG BUILD IV EVENT – REGISTRATION

Registration for the The Big Build IV Event is free for all students (undergraduate, master and doctorate) belonging to the Universidad Europea de Madrid and to the School of Architecture of the University of Alcala, UAH. For all other participants, the fee is 75 €.

To register, send an e-mail to the IABSE Spanish Group (geiabse@iabse.org), specifying participant's given name and surnames, affiliation, and e-mail address.

The email must include a copy of the bank transfer receipt (if applicable), to be sent by October 12, 2025, indicating in the concept of the transfer the full name of the participant.

Bank: Bank address: Account Number: Swift code: Beneficiary:

CaixaBank c/ Ríos Rosas, 44, 28003 Madrid ES49 2100 3226 0213 0011 2627 CAIXESBBXXX Grupo Español de IABSE

Mare Nostrum Tower, Barcelona Architect: EMBT, Benedetta Tagliabue Structural Engineering: MC2 Estudio de Ingeniería

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SPEAKERS & PANELIST

Mark P. Sarkisian PE, SE, NAE, LEED BD+C, Partner of Seismic and Structural Engineering in the San Francisco office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, has developed innovative engineering solutions for over 100 major building projects around the world including some of the tallest and most complex. Mark holds ten U.S. Patents and five International Patents for highperformance seismic structural mechanisms designed to protect buildings in areas of high seismicity and for seismic and environmentally responsible structural systems. In 2021, Mark was elected to the prestigious United States’ National Academy of Engineering and in 2025 he was elected to the National Academy of Construction. He is the author of “Designing Tall Buildings – Structure as Architecture,” and teaches at UC Berkeley, California College of the Arts, Stanford University, Cal Poly, Northeastern University, NC State University, the Pratt Institute, and Alcala University in Madrid. He has a BS-CE Degree from the University of Connecticut and is a Fellow of the Academy of Distinguished Engineers, an MS-SE Degree from Lehigh University, an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Clarkson University, and an Honorary Master’s Degree from the Politecnico di Milano.

Rosa Cervera Rosa Cervera is a Ph.D. Architect and Full Professor at the University of Alcalá, where she also served as Dean of the School of Architecture. She has been a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University (2009) and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Miami (2015). Founder of Cervera Arquitectos (formerly Cervera & Pioz), her professional work spans Spain, Russia, China, India, Malaysia, and Bolivia, and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Knowledge Transfer Award, the Golden Global Award, and distinctions from the Madrid City Council and the Architects Association. Her research and practice focus on the application of bionics and biomimetics to architecture, with emblematic projects such as the Bionic Tower, a prototype of a self-sustainable vertical city.

Her most recent investigations explore the use of living organisms in construction, particularly through architectural photobioreactors with microalgae. Cervera has lectured extensively at universities and professional institutions in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Her work has been widely published and exhibited, most recently in the monograph Diálogo Arquitectura Naturaleza (2024). She is also the author of several books and articles, including Architecture Inspired by Nature: Experimenting Bionics (2023), Bionics, Biomimetics and Architecture (2019), and Space and Time in Architectural Composition (2018).

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SPEAKERS & PANELIST

Álvaro Serrano Corral Álvaro is an expert in structures and Director of MC2 Estudio de Ingeniería. He joined in 2002 after obtaining his Civil & Structural Engineering degree in the Technical University of Madrid. In MC2, he develops all manner of structural projects and construction procedures for both civil works and singular building structures together with well-known architects. He received a special mention of the 2017 AAYE Award from fib in the category of Design and Construction. Álvaro is also Adjunct Professor in Steel and Composite Bridges and Structures at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM).

Patricio García With over 25 years of professional experience, Patricio has played a key role in structural engineering projects across all phases—from conceptual and schematic design to the development of construction documentation and on-site engineering support during construction. His portfolio includes a diverse range of projects, including high-rise buildings, corporate headquarters, airports, hospitals, office complexes, hotels, shopping centers, subway stations, data centers, and structural renovations. These projects span multiple countries across North and Latin America as well as Europe. While his core expertise lies in structural design, Patricio has also led multidisciplinary teams, drawing on his deep understanding of integrated design challenges. He has worked for engineering firms in both Spain and the United States, and for the past 18 years in Arup, where he is an Associate Director.

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SPEAKERS & PANELIST

Jordi Alcaine Jordi Alcaine is a Msc Civil Engineer member of the Building Envelope design team of Arup Madrid. Jordi has extensive international experience in façade design and construction, specializing in the design of structural glass and complex steel & glass structures. He commenced his professional career at Arup Madrid in 2014 and subsequently relocated to London in 2016 to further develop his expertise in the field. Since 2018, he has been leading and managing façade engineering driven projects based in Madrid. In addition to his professional work, Jordi has been actively involved in the dissemination of technical knowledge within the industry. He has contributed articles to specialized journals and delivered presentations at technical conferences related to façades and glass technology. His work in these areas has supported innovation and the sharing of best practices within the professional community.

Javier Gómez Mateo Architect, graduated from Technical University of Madrid (UPM, 2006). Holder of an official Master’s Degree in Building Structures from UPM, 2011. Bachelor’s Degree in Building Engineering from the European University of Madrid (UEM, 2015). Specialist in dynamic structural analysis, seismic-resistant structures, and mixed and precast concrete construction. He has been working at Bernabeu Ingenieros since 2014. He has contributed to the structural development of projects such as the Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat; the Lima Convention Center in Lima, Peru; the seismic analysis of steel structures for the La Cadellada water treatment plant in Chile; the new Faculty of Psychology at the University of Málaga in Spain; the La Pleta de Ordino residential complex in Andorra; and the bridge over the Miño River between Tomiño and Vila Nova de Cerveira. He has extensive experience in the development of construction projects using BIM methodology since 2009 (official Autodesk certification in Architecture and Construction within the BIM environment). Since 2023, he has served as Lecturer at the School of Architecture (UPM), and since 2022 at the San Pablo University (CEU).

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SOM EXHIBITION:

NODE

NODE SOM Exhibition at the School of Architecture, University of Alcalá Although this exhibition is not part of The Big Build IV, given the involvement of Mark Sarkisian, Partner at SOM, in the Big Build events, we are pleased to announce an SOM exhibition that will undoubtedly appeal to all those passionate about outstanding structural engineering.

The exhibition presents SOM’s work through three main themes — legacy, ongoing research, and artistic practice— offering insight into the firm’s evolution, methods of inquiry, and the cultural dimension of its architectural practice.

Opening

Where?

Registration

The opening will take place on Thursday, October 16, at 11:30 h.

Immediately afterwards, Mark Sarkisian will deliver a lecture followed by an open discussion.

School of Architecture, Alcala University, UAH c/ Santa Úrsula, 8, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid

Free admission. To register, send an e-mail to the IABSE Spanish Group (geiabse@iabse.org) indicating the attendee’s given name and surnames, affiliation, and e-mail address.

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SOM EXHIBITION:

NODE

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THE BIG BUILD IV Innovative Yet Practical: Tall Buildings of the Future Enough?

Seminar-Workshop, Site Visits & Round Table

October, 13-14-15 Madrid 2025