RESIDENCE AND DAY CENTER FOR SENIORS, SALAMANCA

We had two programs, for two different users, five meters of height difference, and insufficient floor area above ground.

Two different types of users, because half of them were intellectually disabled youngsters with autonomy to enter and leave the center; the other half will be added with the problems and disabilities concerning old age. Both share some parts of the program, but we look for the "looks" of the results not to be unifying.

Two buildings connected by walkways with separate and common entrances, each one with a courtyard facing the midday sun as an extension of the public areas of the program located on the ground floor. All rooms integrated into a " big wall wooden cherry-tree " a table, a seat to contemplate, the wardrobe and a balcony that separates the functions of ventilation and light and serves to clean the large crystal; That window where you sit, is a levelled fixed glass, as if it was another limestone piece of the facade.

To the south, the living rooms. Trays with plants, protecting from the sun and boast of the prestige of those greenhouses that the Young people grow on the outskirts of Salamanca. The birches help.

DATA:

Architects: Jose Maria de Lapuerta, Carlos Asensio

Team: Project leader: Paloma Campo

Architects: Francisco Gil, Esther Jimenez / Quantity Surveyor: Fernando Gaytan / Structures: Belén Orta / Facilities: Maximiliano Sanchez, Jose I. Garrido.

Promoter: ASPRODES

Construction: Crescencio Lopez

Surface: 2,700 m2

Dates. Project: 2002 Construction: 2003-2005

Photographs: Miguel de Guzman