The UPV continues to advance in the development of the 8S Building, also known as the TRL Building (Technology Readiness Levels). This strategic infrastructure aims to boost knowledge transfer and collaboration between university research and the business sector on the Vera campus. The university has already opened the administrative documentation for the bids submitted in the tender to draft the basic and execution project for the property, an action valued at approximately 30 million euros.
In total, eleven candidacies have participated in the procedure promoted by the UPV Rectorate. Among the companies and temporary joint ventures (UTE) that have submitted proposals are Arquitectos Ayala SLP, the UTE formed by COR ASOC, Orbaiceta and Aldaba Arquitectos and TPF Getinsa Euroestudios, CPS Infraestructuras Movilidad y Medio Ambiente, Gesnaer Consulting, the alliance between Intecsa Engineering Group and JFS Architectes, Ingeniería Especializada Obra Civil e Industrial, Leing MEPSC Engineering, Planho Consultores, TYPSA, the UTE HubLab 8S UPV, and the UTE UPV MMN-Inergia.
Several of the proposals have been provisionally admitted, while others already have definitive admission in this first administrative phase of the process. The contract for drafting the project has a base bidding budget of 834,393.88 euros.
“"The university's intention is to build a bridge between science and business, allowing developments arising in the university to evolve into technological solutions with economic and social impact."
The 8S Building is conceived as a space designed to support the technological maturation of scientific projects and facilitate their market entry. The future building will be erected on an undeveloped plot next to the Avenida de los Naranjos, within the Vera campus, and will feature a basement, ground floor, and five upper levels. The infrastructure will house over 3,300 square meters per floor dedicated to prototyping workshops, flexible laboratories, offices, coworking spaces, an auditorium, and areas for innovative knowledge-based business initiatives. The design will prioritize modularity and flexibility of use to adapt to different technological and business needs.
The building will also integrate common product development services, prototype manufacturing areas, and pilot plants, as well as business interaction spaces aimed at accelerating knowledge transfer and the generation of new innovative companies. According to the planned schedule, the new complex could be fully operational by the end of 2029 after the project design is awarded and construction is completed.
This opening of bids for the 8S Building adds to other strategic tenders promoted by the UPV. Recently, it was announced that eight architecture firms had submitted bids for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the historic Casa de los Caramelos, a property in the center of València that the institution intends to convert into a future urban headquarters open to the public. Bids were also announced for the construction of the future photonic chip pilot plant planned for the industrial area of L'Eliana, where the university received six proposals.
