CENTRE DE DIA I CASAL DE GENT GRAN DE BLANCAFORT | GUILLEM CARRERA arquitecte

Day center and home for the elderly of Blancafort.

A social building necessary for the elderly of the village of Blancafort and its neighboring municipalities.

The initial observation of the plot and its environment led to consider that the future building did not have to solve only a program and a requirement of an isolated building, but it also had to help consolidate the nearest urban fabric, creating an entrance to the village with its own personality and public character.

It is proposed to open the building to the three surrounding streets and public green area, turning the preexisting retaining wall into the base of the building and creating a core of common access and an internal courtyard for each of the two public facilities.

The Home for the elderly directs its main space to the surrounding landscape, while the Day Center directs its main space to a larger internal courtyard, designed for the gathering together and more leisurely activity of its users.

The external finishes respond to not require continuous maintenance. The possible perception of concrete as a cold material is balanced with warm wood finishes, weathering steel and stone that lines the wall socket (used in several places in the same village which is typical from the area) and projected vegetated areas.

As for the interior finishes, these aim to provide users with the warmth necessary to enjoy a building designed to be comfortable during the last stage of their life.