Aragon seeks ideas in a unique competition

The Aragonese Technology District (DAT Alierta) continues at full speed! The Government of Aragon, through the Aragonese Institute for Development (IAF), has launched an ideas competition to design a state-of-the-art building for the rental of corporate spaces. Strategically located next to the Río Ebro University Campus in the Actur district of the city, this building will be one of the pillars of Zaragoza’s future technology centre, with an estimated investment of 16.5 million euros.

This building is key to consolidating DAT Alierta as a true epicentre of cutting-edge technology. Its creation responds to a growing demand, as more than five companies in the sector have confirmed their interest in opening offices in this complex, which is expected to require a total investment of over 100 million euros.

A contest with rewards and opportunities

The competition, which will include a jury, seeks the best architectural proposal for a 3,265 m² plot. The design must include the layout of the building’s interior spaces and the exterior design, with access routes and landscaped areas that prioritise low water consumption and low-maintenance vegetation.

To encourage participation, the contest offers a total of 18,000 euros in prizes (excluding VAT), divided among the top three entrants with 6,000 euros each. Also, the winner will not only receive the award, but will also be responsible for drafting both the basic and the execution project, the health and safety study, and the activity project, a contract valued at a maximum of 348,011.34 euros.

The deadline for submitting proposals is 35 calendar days from the publication of the tender, and the jury’s decision is expected to be announced within two months.

Cutting-edge and sustainability criteria

The proposals will be evaluated based on key criteria such as functionality, architectural quality, integration with the environment, choice of materials, energy efficiency, technological solutions, budget and execution time. The design is required to align with the highest standards of a state-of-the-art technology park, including:

• Vegetation rooftops to mitigate the “heat island” effect.
• Sustainable solutions that will qualify for international certification such as LEED or BREEAM, which guarantee efficient, ecological construction practices.

The Vice President and Minister for the Presidency, Economy and Justice of the Government of Aragon, Mar Vaquero, highlighted the importance of the project: “Conversations held with the companies interested in DAT Alierta have led us to provide for a larger building than initially planned in order to meet the high demand.” She added that this competition will “guarantee an innovative space that welcomes companies both large and small, and consolidate the district as a technological benchmark.”

The estimated timeframe for drafting the basic project and initial studies is three months, and the execution project will be completed in a further two months, making a total of five months for the technical documentation. With this initiative, the Government of Aragon reaffirms its commitment to the development of DAT Alierta, a strategic project to position Zaragoza as a technological hub that combines sustainability, innovation, and the attraction of business talent. The complete tender rules are available for consultation in the IAF contractor profile.