Located at 108 Roger de Llúria Street, close to the headquarters of the Lawyers’ Association of Catalonia, the existing premises are developed on the ground floor, a partial basement and of low height and some small attic dependencies, also of reduced height, and with problems of use, given the structural elements (joists and beams).
The premises have a narrow and deep configuration (51.5 m) with little street frontage and a lack of intermediate courtyards.
The project proposes an intervention limited in extension, however, which radically changes the spatial perception of the existing premises. The project also aims to optimise the use of the different spaces, organising the various activities by zone.
A first access space, taking advantage of the conditions of the two façade openings, to access a first area, and then enter and recognise the full dimension of the intervention. The second façade opening on the axis of the premises thus becomes an eye that allows the central space to be illuminated and visualised from the outside. The name and anagram of the entity will be placed on the glass.
The central area, which contains the mentioned radical intervention which consists of opening a void in the floor and the ground floor of 9.5 x 3 metres, which allows spatial and visual communication of the care areas for the mutual members located in the access level and the areas for occasional medical consultations located on the lower floor, in which, through a small excavation, the necessary height is obtained (2.50 metres). This spatial void visually communicates the mezzanine intended for archives and staff leisure, with a suspended walkway.
With this intervention, a triple-height space is generated that includes the circulation elements: staircase-ramp, steps, stairs and walkways, visually communicating the areas for public attention, work, consultations and archives.
Finally, the management offices and the large meeting room are at the back of the premises, opening onto the inner space of the block, which enjoys the possibility of lighting with large skylights of zenithal light placed on the roof.
At the back of the premises, we create a small terrace-patio-garden in relation to this intermediate space with zenithal light, which connects the management offices to optimise the conditions of light and comfort causing attractive views of the landscaped courtyard.
A whole set of complementary activities, services, facilities, warehouses, emergency exits, etc., are strategically placed in intermediate spaces of the project, solving security and evacuation issues.