AZAB completes colorful concertina-like school extension in the basque country

AZAB has completed the extension of a school in northern spain. located on the outskirts of igorre, a community in the basque country, the new building is clad with perforated paneling that shields the building from direct sunlight. the new construction serves as an extension of the existing primary school building, designed by d. josé luis burgos, which dates back to the 1960s.

all images by luis díaz díaz

the brief AZAB was presented with called for an increased number of classrooms, with an emphasis on the new building’s circulation. corridors and routes were to be wide and without dead ends — spaces commonly believed to be detrimental to a child’s well-being and safety. meanwhile, the entire building is oriented towards the playground, thus making the large outdoor space part of the school complex.

clad with perforated pale blue sheets, a concertina-like façade is presented to the playground. ‘this lattice ensures an effective solar control for this west orientation and at the same time it offers sufficient mechanical guarantees to face the sports tracks,’ explains the design team. the vibrant use of color extends internally, with bright yellow window frames and blue doors found throughout.

image by AZAB

project info:

location: igorre, bizkaia
client: basque government
date: 2016-2018
principal architect: cristina acha, miguel zaballa, andrés iza — AZAB
design team: ion gozalo, alexander monasterio, iñaki herran
structural architect: jon bilbao
services engineer: unai martínez de la hidalga
general contractor: opacua S.A.
photography: luis díaz díaz