Architects: BN Asociados Arquitectos
Area: 12,000 m²
Year: 2019
Photography: Roland Halbe
Lead Architects: Silvia Babsky Nadel, Ramón Valls Navascués, Luciana Lotito, Dirk Shuhmann, Laura Fornos
Collaborators: Eduardo Montero, Raúl Ventura
Constructor: GYOCIVIL S.A
Promoter: Leganés City Council
City: Madrid
Country: Spain
The Central Library and Municipal Archives in Leganés, designed by BN Asociados Arquitectos led by Silvia Babsky Nadel and Ramón Valls Navascués, became an important cultural landmark after overcoming construction delays due to the bankruptcy of the original contractor, which left the site abandoned for seven years. Resuming in 2018 and completed in 2019, this 12,000-square-meter complex features two distinct but adjacent structures—a library and an archive—connected by a shared basement. The library’s innovative ventilated ceramic façade includes 9,126 custom-colored pieces that mimic book spines, while the archives are clad in minimalist zinc, symbolizing the preservation of historical records. This architectural duo enriches Leganés’ cultural fabric, providing the community with a space for study, cultural events, and public engagement.
The library’s striking exterior design employs a continuous, ventilated ceramic façade that mimics the spines of books, reflecting its function as a center of learning and culture. This façade, comprising 9,126 large-format ceramic pieces, was carefully designed for both aesthetic appeal and practical performance. Each ceramic piece was chosen for color and mounted on a subframe, attached to prefabricated 14 cm-thick concrete panels. This configuration includes glass wool insulation, 60 mm thick, for waterproofing and thermal control, with an additional 60 mm Pladurmetal lining inside, allowing movable service elements to be incorporated without disturbing the internal layout.
In contrast, the Municipal Archives building features a neutral, zinc-clad façade, emphasizing its role as a secure repository. The zinc panels, arranged in a sinusoidal pattern, create a restrained visual that balances the library’s vibrant ceramic façade. This juxtaposition of materials and forms reflects the unique functions of each structure: one as an inviting public space and the other as a safeguarded archive.
Inside, the library spans three floors and a basement, with public amenities such as an exhibition hall, conference rooms, children’s libraries, and administrative offices located on the ground floor. The first and second floors house the primary library collections, meeting rooms, a mediatheque, a cafeteria, and more offices. Meanwhile, the archives also span three floors, with the ground floor accessible to the public and the upper floors restricted for classified archival work, ensuring security and organization for valuable documents.
BN Asociados’ design not only provides an architectural identity for Leganés but also integrates symbolic and practical elements, supporting the library’s role in community engagement and the archive’s mission of preservation. The contrasting use of ceramics and zinc, along with carefully selected colors and materials, transforms the Central Library and Municipal Archives into a dynamic cultural hub and enduring emblem of the city’s commitment to knowledge and heritage preservation.
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Project Location
Address: 4 Reina Sofía Avenue, 28919 Leganés, Madrid, Spain
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
