Day care Center for people with Alzheimer’s disease
A new Healthcare Center opened recently in the Catalonian countryside, a few hours out of Barcelona. The project -surrounded by green spaces- generate a peaceful sensation. It was promoted by a non-profit foundation and it is the first pro bono project of GCA Architects, design and architecture firm.
Quality materials like wood and concrete were used to give a peaceful sensation of simplicity. Recently inaugurated, this Healthcare Center for elderly people has been built with the innovative CLT system, which allowed a high level of accuracy, sustainability and high speed of construction. The plot has 1070sqm of constructed area and 3500sqm of green area.
In the central courtyard -core center of the project- rises an olive tree, symbol for the family founder family of Rosa María Vivar, the non-profit organization who promoted the project. This patio supports and illuminates the central circulation area that is intended as a wide but slow space, always accompanied by the image of the olive tree that transmits sensitivity and tranquility. The patio also articulates six modules for different uses, each with its own independent garden, having 75% of green area at the plot. The outdoor spaces were designed to be part of the healthcare therapies and treatments.
It comes as state-of-the-art technology the use of a wood construction system called CLT. Wood is the main material of this project not only for its sense of spatial warmth -the idea of creating a warm and friendly environment- but also due to its flexibility of use, essential in the case of the Healthcare Center, dividing areas of controlled dimension without losing the advantages that a single large space can provide.
The circulations are solved in a simple and logical way to facilitate the use to the users and to take advantage of all the spaces of coexistence.
The gardens or outdoor spaces are designed to carry out complementary activities to the regular therapies. It is divided into 6 independent spaces, communicated with each other, determined by the building's own projection towards the outside. These spaces are designed to improve the physical and general state of each person.
The design, the choice of plant species and the different furniture elements have a common objective: to facilitate the contact with nature to contribute well-being and help to improve the quality of life of people.
