Restricted competition of architectural projects for the extension of the municipal equipment “Les Cases dels Mestres” in Caldes de Montbui, Vallès Oriental county. Second prize.

The program called for the expansion of the existing facilities with a house, classrooms and spaces for entities, beyond the current building’s surroundings.

A respectful but not mimetic extension is proposed, which allows the original building and the extension to be maintained as distinct volumes that touch, but do not overlap.

We are interested in the way the new building is placed because of how it conditions and modifies the free space generated around it. At street level we work especially the communication between the street of Maestro Gregori Montserrat and Plaza Cataluña, with the inner courtyard that is proposed in the building.

At ground floor level we have a large opening that formalizes the “threshold” and allows to regulate the access to the equipment when necessary. Above, a new facade in the form of a bridge defines the access to the courtyard and to the activities inside the new building.