IE University acquires historic Palacio de Mansilla in Segovia to house IE School of Architecture and Design’s Creative Campus
Students from all over the world will develop here architectural, design, art, fashion and entrepreneurship projects, collaborating with companies, NGOs, and the city.
IE University has announced the acquisition of the Palacio de Mansilla, a historic building dating from the 12th to the 18th centuries, located in the heart of Segovia’s historic center. Previously owned by the Fundación Torreón de Lozoya, the former palace is set to undergo a major transformation.
Renovation work began last spring with the vision of transforming the building into the new Creative Campus of IE University. Spanning over 5,000 m², the campus will provide a dynamic space where students and faculty from IE School of Architecture and Design can bring their ideas to life through projects in architecture, design, art, fashion, and entrepreneurship. The Creative Campus will include a Fab Lab, alongside laboratories for construction, biomaterials and textile research, as well as workshops for experimentation, digital fabrication classrooms and exhibition spaces
"At IE School of Architecture & Design, our goal is to build a more just, beautiful and sustainable world through the creative industries. This new space will nurture creativity and bring together different disciplines." said David Goodman, Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design, during the presentation of the Creative Campus last April.
"Our students will learn by co-creating, designing projects and exploring manufacturing and materials, among many other activities. They’ll also develop critical thinking and creativity in a truly inspiring environment."
David Goodman, Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design
He also pointed out how the campus location in Segovia’s historic center will foster social integration, help develop local projects and encourage collaboration with businesses, cultural institutions and NGOs.
The Palacio de los Condes de Mansilla, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, and restored in the 1970s, lies within the city walls of this UNESCO World Heritage city, close to the main square. An integral part of Segovia’s cultural heritage, the building blends Romanesque features on the ground floor with spectacular stone arches that divide vaulted spaces, as well as Mudejar features. At the end of the 15th century, a Gothic palace was added, built around a central courtyard, complete with a polychrome ceiling and a door in the style of 15th century Spanish architect Juan Guas. In the 18th century, the building underwent major renovations, introducing new structures. For 40 years, it housed a higher education institution and served as the headquarters of the Domingo de Soto University College, established by the Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Segovia. The current renovation will transform the space for educational purposes.