San Sebastian's Gastronomy Open Ecosystem selects five finalists for iconic architecture

The Basque Culinary Center (BCC) in San Sebastian is set to expand into the Gastronomy Open Ecosystem (GOe), a new hub dedicated to gastronomic innovation, research, and technology. A international architecture competition launched in December 2021 has narrowed the field to five finalists: 3XN (Denmark), BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group, Denmark), OMA (Office of Metropolitan Architecture, Netherlands), Snøhetta (Norway), and Toyo Ito & Associates (Japan). The winning design, expected to be announced in May 2022, aims to create an iconic building for the city, akin to Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The GOe will focus on global challenges such as climate change, alternative proteins, agricultural robotics, and food waste reduction. It will also serve as a community and tourist attraction, integrating with the urban fabric. The current BCC building, designed by VAUMM, opened in 2011 near the Miramón technology park.