Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences: 20 % less concrete in ventilated foundations with Modulo
6 November 2025
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is a symbol of technical and artistic innovation, showcasing cutting-edge structural engineering.
Modulo was selected for constructing ventilated foundations using 20% less concrete, saving time, and allowing easier MEP integration, improving the project’s sustainable profitability.
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a landmark cultural and scientific complex designed by Santiago Calatrava. Built as an engineering and innovation showcase, the project demonstrates cutting-edge structural solutions and large-span constructions, making it a symbol of technical and artistic achievement.
Aligned with the ambitious architectural and engineering goals of the complex, the builders chose Geoplast Modulo to create ventilated foundations over an area of 1,800 m². This reduced concrete use by up to 20%, enhancing the project’s sustainable profitability.
Traditional solutions: more concrete, time, and limited flexibility
Building ventilated foundations the traditional way – using concrete or masonry blocks, or gravel and sand layers with venting – would have required more raw materials, taken longer, and offered limited flexibility for MEP integration.
Geoplast Modulo: 20 % less concrete for ventilated foundations
To overcome these challenges, our experts recommended Modulo for ventilated foundations. Made from lightweight recycled plastic, Modulo creates a monolithic ventilated support layer beneath the floor slab, offering multiple advantages for sustainable profitability:
• 20 % less concrete for ventilated foundations
Using Modulo reduced concrete use by up to 20%, lowering material costs and minimizing environmental impact.
• Adaptable modular design
Modulo features modular elements with heights of up to 70 cm, creating a ventilated void that can be easily adapted to the existing layout.
• Moisture mitigation
The ventilated void created by Modulo helps prevent moisture accumulation beneath the slab, protecting the building structure over time.
• MEP integration
Modulo created dedicated space for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, improving accessibility and simplifying maintenance.
• Fast and easy installation
Lightweight Modulo elements and intuitive assembly sped up construction, increasing labor efficiency and reducing overall project time.
• Enhanced sustainability
By using recycled plastic modules, the project integrated sustainability into its core infrastructure, reducing environmental impact.
To use Modulo in your next project, contact Luca Zausa at luca.zausa@geoplastglobal.com or contact him on Linkedin.
