ferrer arquitectos: north mediterranean health center

‘north mediterranean health center’ by ferrer arquitectos, almería, spain image © david frutos all images courtesy of ferrer arquitectos

spanish practice ferrer arquitectos has designed the ‘north mediterranean health center’ in almería, spain. a facade of maneuverable marble slats introduce a diffused natural daylight as needed to perform activities, reducing the energy consumption of the building. a monolithic block of prefabricated concrete supports the rectilinear volume. as the louvered panels are opened, light emanates from the interior, visually lightening and breaking down the white mass. glass-enclosed courtyards are placed within the internal configuration to introduce daylight and ventilation into the rooms.

on the ground floor is the main entry, reception and administration along with adult and pediatric clinics and minor surgery units. the first level contains health education functions, staff and support services. the double skin allows an optimal lighting conditions for the task at hand.

elevation of maneuverable marble slats image © david frutos

concrete plinth elevates the facility image © david frutos

concrete block plinth image © david frutos

marble slats may be adjusted to introduce the desired light quality to perform internal functions image © david frutos

ground level waiting area image © david frutos

courtyards introduce daylight and ventilation image © david frutos

courtyard image © david frutos

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

section

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elevation

elevation

elevation

elevation

wall section

project info:

project: north mediterranean health center. location: mediterráneo avenue, almería (spain) developer: andalusian government external collaborators: laboratorio icc. contractor: construcciones tejera built area: 1.352,38 m2 photographer: david frutos project type: health center client: andalusian government company / firm name: project designed by ferrer arquitectos certified by aenor in quality management, enviromental management and occupational health and safety management (iso 9001 – iso 14001 and ohsas 18001) member of the advisory council of breeam spain. design team: josé ángel ferrer (group leader architect), javier de simón, antonio palenzuela, manuel alonso