The main lobby of the Experimental Sciences building, home to the faculties of Biology, Marine Sciences, and Chemistry, features a new mural this academic year inspired by the biodiversity of the coasts of the Vigo estuary. The initiative, driven by the faculties of Biology and Marine Sciences, aims to humanize the building's entrance and foster a meeting space for students, while also reinforcing the shared identity of the two centers.
The idea emerged from the need to transform an area of the lobby that previously housed mailboxes. The goal was to create a welcoming space for both the university community and the public attending the building's auditorium, which is used for internal activities and events open to the public. "We aim to create a meeting place for students and humanize the entrance to the faculties," explains Elsa Vázquez, director of the Marine Research Center at the Universidade de Vigo, who also mentioned similar initiatives in other university centers.
The choice of the Vigo estuary and its habitats as the theme for the mural reflects its role as a representative element for both faculties. The artwork seeks to showcase the natural richness of the surroundings and symbolically preserve the presence of marine fauna that had been in the lobby for 25 years before the sculptures were removed due to deterioration. The mural is an artistic interpretation, not depicting a specific location but rather the coastal biodiversity of the estuary.
This project is part of a broader effort to enhance the image and functionality of the spaces within both faculties. The current dean of Marine Sciences, Cristina Sobrino, emphasizes that the objective is not solely aesthetic but also to encourage students to feel comfortable and participate more actively in university life. The new rest area next to the mural has been well-received, leading to consideration of similar spaces in other parts of the center, as well as potential repainting of some classrooms, depending on available resources.
