The Nou Moles Sports Center is conceived as a modern, functional and energy‑efficient facility, organized on two main levels and with capacity for more than 1,600 spectators. Its architecture relies on an efficient structural system and high‑performance materials, with the clear ambition of becoming a point of reference for sports facilities in Spain built with low‑impact systems.

An efficient, durable architecture

The new complex replaces the former Marcol pavilion, the city’s first indoor sports facility, with a proposal that significantly expands the district’s sports offer. The building is organized around a large central court measuring 30 × 48.8 meters, complemented by two indoor pools and areas for strength training, changing rooms and grandstands distributed across different levels. The functional layout was designed to optimize internal circulation and daylight use, reinforcing the overall efficiency of the facility.

The primary structure combines precast concrete and steel elements. To the north, glazed façades maximize natural light, while to the south a metal façade with three‑layer sandwich panels ensures thermal performance and defines the building’s visual identity. The continuity of the internal envelopes behind the external lattice and the clean junctions with prefabricated elements were key to precision and thermal behavior.

Ytong AAC: structural lightness and passive fire protection

Beyond its contribution to thermal insulation, Ytong AAC was selected for its high level of passive fire protection and its notable lightness, which reduces loads on the structure and enables a precise, uniform and efficient installation. Its low density and mineral composition provide high fire resistance, making it a key material for large‑scale projects seeking performance, safety and comfort.

The project incorporated 600 m² of 30‑cm block, 3,800 m² of 20‑cm block and 1,600 m² of 10‑cm partitions, used in the envelope and interior partitions, fire compartments, stair cores, grandstand walls and wet areas. Thanks to its mineral composition and natural vapor permeability, the material is ideal for spaces subject to constant humidity, as is common in sports facilities of this kind.

Applied sustainability

The sports center integrates multiple strategies, such as HVAC systems with heat recovery, low‑consumption LED lighting, smart monitoring and partial on‑site renewable energy generation. These active measures are complemented by the mineral nature and recyclability of AAC, which helps reduce on-site work and waste on site, enabling a cleaner execution aligned with circularity and reduced maintenance.

The Nou Moles Sports Center demonstrates how the choice of sustainable, high‑performance building systems can improve both efficiency and the user experience. With its projects, Xella Spain reinforces its commitment to an efficient, sustainable construction model in which each technical decision helps minimize environmental impact while ensuring safety and durability.