Golden Mesh & Irregular Grid: Usera Healthcare Center Design

Usera Healthcare Center: A Unique Design Concept

The Usera Healthcare Center, located in Madrid, Spain, is a part of a trilogy of clinics that includes the Villaverde and San Blas clinics. This innovative project, known as 3x1, was born out of an unusual contest that called for the construction of two identical buildings in two separate locations with the same functional program and budget. The Usera Healthcare Center is a stunning example of the design concept known as "misplaced building," which has resulted in a unique and highly functional space.

A Golden Skin of Aluminum Mesh

The Usera Healthcare Center's exterior is a sight to behold, with a concrete shell covered in a golden skin of aluminum mesh. This design choice not only adds a touch of glamour to the building, but it also serves a functional purpose. The mesh provides shade and privacy while allowing natural light to filter through. On the inside, the space becomes more horizontal and abstract due to the use of white ceramic tiles on the patios. The result is a visually stunning building that stands out from its surroundings.

An Irregular Orthogonal Grid

The healthcare center's program is developed extensively on a single floor, with the different rooms of the program organized on a loose irregular orthogonal grid. Thirteen patios are arranged in a staggered pattern between the public and private rooms along three parallel (non)-corridors. This design choice creates a sense of openness and fluidity, making it easy for patients and staff to navigate the space. The result is a highly functional building that is both beautiful and practical.

A Hermetic Facade

In contrast to the system of atomized patios, the Usera Healthcare Center's facade is conceived as continuous and blind. The absence of holes in the vertical planes of the outer skin creates a vertical relationship between the interior and exterior of the building, almost overhead. The glass walls do not define courtyards but holes in the front horizontal outer shell of the building, creating a vertical relationship that generates an isotropic interior space. The result is a building that feels connected to its surroundings while remaining private and secure.

In conclusion, the Usera Healthcare Center is an excellent example of how design can influence the functionality of a space. The innovative design concept of misplaced building has resulted in a beautiful and highly functional healthcare center that is a pleasure to visit. From the golden skin of aluminum mesh to the irregular orthogonal grid, every design choice has been made with both aesthetics and functionality in mind. The result is a building that stands out from its surroundings while providing a safe and comfortable space for patients and staff alike.

Read also about the Exploring the Ambiguity of Conflicting Forms: Compound Figurations project