The new Primary Care Centre (CAP) in Santa Coloma de Farners, located in an expanding area, stands out for its compact and functional design. A central courtyard optimizes natural light and ventilation, ensuring a healthy and efficient environment for both users and healthcare staff.
LOCATION
The new CAP in Santa Coloma de Farners is located in the southern part of the city, in an area undergoing growth and transformation. Facing northeast along the main street, the surrounding activities are currently mixed: industrial, agricultural, and residential. The future consolidation of the urban artery will provide the entire avenue with a strong sense of community activity, making the CAP a landmark element within the area.
PROPOSAL
The proposal aims to create a compact volume that, thanks to its favorable north-south orientation and permeable design, generates “lungs” that efficiently resolve the ventilation and natural lighting of the different areas. Circulation within the building is clearly organized: the central route contains the circulation paths and communication cores in a fluid manner, allowing users to easily understand and navigate the spaces.
The interior of the building has been designed on a human scale and with a human-centered approach, creating an interior-exterior contrast that allows the courtyard to function as a relational and organizational core. The different accesses to the building are arranged through this courtyard. The courtyard accommodates a variety of activities, as it is a universally accessible space linked to therapeutic fitness activities for both adults and children.
Regarding the building structure, it is composed of CLT timber modules with façade beams and perimeter columns, together with timber frame slabs that provide both thermal and acoustic insulation.
SUSTAINABILITY
The production systems are centralized to facilitate maintenance tasks without affecting users. Timber construction reduces CO₂ emissions by 51% compared to standard construction methods. The proposal maximizes sustainability both at the construction stage and during the operational life of the completed building, through the use of sustainable construction solutions that minimize future maintenance costs. In addition, both the courtyard and the building roof will incorporate greywater and rainwater reuse systems for irrigation and toilet flushing.
