Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - WindowsPadre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - GardenPadre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Wood, Bench, ChairPadre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Table, Windows, ChairPadre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - More Images+ 16

A Coruña, Spain
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  15882
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2014
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  REHAU, Sancal
Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Facade
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

Text description provided by the architects. The social charity institution, Padre Rubinos, was born in La Coruna nearly a century ago with a dedication to give shelter and asylum to the needy. Later it has continued growing and expanding its scope to nursery schools and the elderly.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Wood, Bench, Chair
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

We now present its new headquarters born in a quiet way of understanding architecture. The construction is conceived as a shelter for the life that transcends in it, a serene space, unpretentious and to endure.

The use of horizontal lines arises from the search for peace and relaxation creating a sequence of measured and ordered spaces.

Floor Plan

It is an architectural space that revolves around those individuals in need, the academic composition of the facade and featuring a portico at the entrance that surrounds and defines a square, open to the city. We reassume the concept of cloister attuned to the religious character and social work of the institution.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Image 6 of 21
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

The idea of a patio is repeated throughout the architectural complex as focal point of the different spaces seeking to strengthen the clarity, light and visual continuity between interior and exterior.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Facade, Concrete, Column, Handrail
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

Different volumes fit the morphology of the terrain so that both ground floor and the upper floors maintain direct external communication.

The nursing home for the elderly occupies the most extensive use of the complex. At the ground floor common areas like living rooms, professional offices, therapy rooms, ... are devised while at the upper two floors private areas linked to the rooms are located.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Windows
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

Special care has been taken in the use of materials that meet the requirements for a building of these characteristics: high quality, strength, durability, ecology, but meanwhile giving humanity, serenity and warmth to the interior (warm soil, wood texture, natural fabrics, ...)

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Facade
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

The nursery school is set on a single floor. The clarity and spatial continuity between the classrooms allows for a versatile use of the same. A visual and symbolic relationship to the common areas of the nursing home is also sought after so that both generations can relate and bond.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Table, Windows, Chair
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

The homeless shelter is divided into 3 different uses: accommodation, dining and a center of ongoing social care to be carried out mainly on the ground floor and the upper floor reserved for the rooms.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Image 12 of 21
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

The access to the homeless shelter goes back to the concept of an open space whose portico gives a human scale and protects the visitor.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Facade
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

Besides these basic uses, the complex also includes a residence for the sisters who manage the homeless shelter, headquarters for the institution and area representative with an assembly hall and a chapel which is a symbol and an attraction within the complex.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Garden
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

Their presence is evidenced by clearly recognizable elements as the bell tower and the entrance with orderly and serene architecture.

Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos - Windows
Courtesy of Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos

We enter through a secluded and warm space arriving to a magnified space which enhances the symbolism of the place. This in turn embraces us by the horizontal line of the wooden plinth which returns it to a human scale.

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Project location

Address:A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Padre Rubinos / Elsa Urquijo Arquitectos" 22 Sep 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/548911/padre-rubinos-elsa-urquijo-arquitectos> ISSN 0719-8884

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