guerau de peguera primary school

Programmatic Criteria:

A radial layout has been defined, with a central distribution axis and projecting “fingers” that organize the program into three main areas: the early childhood zone, the primary school zone, and finally, the services block which includes the dining hall, kitchen, and gymnasium. This third block is connected to the main lobby via a covered—but still open-air—porch. The administration area is located alongside the early childhood zone but has separate access points and is divided by a courtyard.

Design Criteria:

The proposal formally reflects the horizontal nature of the Torrelles de Foix landscape. Like the site itself, the town spreads across a flat plain intersected by a road and river. Morphologically, the design consists of a horizontal platform—like a tray—that unfolds across the entire site, accommodating most of the program. There are three volumes that rise above this platform: the cluster of early childhood classrooms (facing north), the gymnasium volume, and the two-story primary school block. The platform often becomes porches and overhangs, creating pleasant outdoor spaces well-suited to a dry climate. The layout of the volumes considers the proximity of the nearby industrial zone. Almost the entire program is oriented along a north-south axis. The standard ceiling height is 2.85 meters throughout, except in the gymnasium, which reaches 4.50 meters. Classrooms maintain a minimum width of 6 meters and have openings on two opposite sides for natural light. Service areas, storage rooms, and cleaning facilities are distributed throughout the different sections of the building.

Compositional Criteria:

The building’s image relies on the use of a prefabricated ceramic block, left exposed on the exterior. Openings are modular, based on the 60 cm dimensions of the ceramic block, and span the full height of the walls. They are created by “removing” blocks, like a negative impression. These voids are filled with aluminum frames that combine glazed and opaque panels, depending on the desired light distribution (they also include integrated shutter boxes). The size and configuration of these openings have been carefully studied and adapted to each programmatic space to reinforce the compositional unity of the whole. Special attention has been paid to the balance between solid and void elements.