New Faculty of Science

The project

The UIB occupies an important position at both national and international level in terms of studies on climate change and its mitigation. And also in biomedicine, the circular economy, the blue economy, the marine sciences, and more. Research and teaching activities are carried out in the Faculty of Science facilities, which have become largely obsolete and require urgent refurbishment and extension.

The Faculty of Science is located in the Mateu Orfila i Rotger building and consists of two very different sections: the chemistry section and the physics section. The 7,898 m2 Chemistry area will be completely refurbished, improving the building's energy efficiency and air-conditioning system. This will be done through the programme to Promote the rehabilitation of public buildings (PIREP).

The refurbishment of the physics section will be funded by the sustainable tourism tax. The project envisages the demolition of approximately half of the existing building and a subsequent complete refurbishment. In addition, a new annex building will be constructed, fully adapted to suit current research and teaching requirements. These two actions will double the current surface area of the building from 4,380 m2 to 10,750 m2.

The project to improve the facilities of the Faculty of Science at the UIB will contribute to the production of cutting-edge knowledge in the Balearic Islands, especially in the field of the sustainable blue economy, marine biodiversity and the marine sciences, taking into account the future introduction of studies in this area, the collaboration with the Institute of Marine Sciences of the Balearic Islands and collaboration with the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA), the Sistema de Observación Costero de las Islas Baleares (SOCIB) and future participation in the development of Palma's Moll Vell marina.