Day Clinic near Barcelona by BAAS Arquitectura + CASA Solo

Granollers is a city around 25 km northeast of Barcelona. Until recently, sick people had to travel to the Catalan capital, often daily, for long-term therapy. In order to address this additional burden, the regional government resolved to develop a network of ambulatory-care clinics where patients can now undergo radiation therapy and dialysis closer to their homes. 

A curved wall guides patients to the entrance. © Gregori Civera

As the clinic stands on a narrow road, the ground floor has been set back in the entrance area. This expands the street space and creates a small forecourt that will allow patients easier access to the building.  

The finely structured brick facade is not reminiscent of a clinic. © Gregori Civera

Facade design

Even the facade design creates an inviting, less-sterile atmosphere than what is usually found in health-care facilities. Delicate gridwork of light-coloured bricks alternates with deep brick pilasters with windows in between. Some of the windowpanes are opaque; others are transparent. Only those standing directly in front of a window can look in. From a distance, the pilasters give the shell a closed-off appearance.

The floor plans are organized around two inner courtyards that let abundant daylight into the building. The waiting areas are located on the street-facing side of the ground floor. The rear area, half of which is dug into the terrain, is home to the radiation-therapy spaces. The dialysis rooms are one floor above these.

Floor plan, graphic © BAAS arquitectura

The sloping lot allows direct access to the upper level. From the garden of the neighbouring Granollers hospital, an approach leads right into the first upper level of the day clinic. The two institutions operate independently; nevertheless, their proximity is an advantage. Should a patient require acute care, the hospital is just next door.