“Los Almendros” Social Center / Ferrer Arquitectos

Architects: Ferrer Arquitectos
Location: Av. de la Sierra de Tabernas, Almería, Spain
Design Team: José Ángel Ferrer
Architectural Technologist: Manuel Alonso
Internal Collaborators: Antonio García, Antonio Palenzuela, Fernando Mateos, Miguel García Haro
Project Year: 2006
Photographs: David Frutos

Project Area: 2,918.84 sqm
External Collaborators: Sondeal and Secoal Ingenieros
Contractor: UTE Copsa-Salcoa

A covered public square: this was the initial idea behind the design that has been seen through to the end. Its elevated and privileged location in one of the routes into Almería, ensure that this design places a strong emphasis on the view. The terrace in the café hangs over the site, providing a sensation of weightlessness set against the round presence of the roof that emerges from the ground.

Several different and complementary uses are grouped together under the title of “integration centre”, which is reflected on the exterior by different forms. Each use is translated into various separate blocks that interact with each other, underneath the imposing presence of the huge roof that provides the whole centre with the necessary unity.