en.Wedoany.com Reported - David Chipperfield Architects (DCA) has completed a museum building in Santander, Spain, converted from a former bank headquarters, marking Chipperfield's first museum project in the country. The museum is located in the historic Pereda Building, the former headquarters of Banco Santander, which dates back to the 19th century.
The Pereda Building was expanded in 1923 (the year Banco Santander moved in) by Cantabrian architect Ricardo Bastida, and subsequently extended again in 1961 by Javier González de Riancho to connect the existing building with its replica. DCA has added a new layer to this architecturally complex building with a layered history by guiding its adaptive reuse. The former bank headquarters will be renamed Faro Santander and will house rarely seen masterpieces from the bank's collection.
Located on Santander's seafront, the building will house over 1,000 artworks and feature a new café, restaurant, and rooftop terrace. The rooftop café and restaurant are situated on the top two floors, while an auditorium and building facilities are located on the three basement levels. One floor of the museum is dedicated to the permanent Banco Santander Collection, another for temporary exhibitions, and DCA has also allocated space for family experimentation and exploration.
As a registered landmark in Spain, preserving the character of the Pereda Building was crucial. The façade and its iconic arches remain intact, with the circular entrance arch added during the 1961 renovation. DCA replaced all floors down to the three basement levels, with the new upper floors featuring white walls, light-colored wood flooring, and exposed concrete. During the renovation, DCA repositioned the arches as a central spine connecting spaces and the building, forming the main circulation core. Additions include a spiral staircase made of exposed concrete connecting the entrance passage within the arches to the exhibition halls, and a lightweight rooftop pavilion made of steel.
Chipperfield stated that the project focused on rethinking the spaces and connections required for a public building, while recognizing the institution's commitment to openness, culture, and engagement. To protect the artworks, DCA deployed an innovative climate control system utilizing geothermal energy and thermally activated building systems, complemented by a green roof and rainwater harvesting irrigation system. David Chipperfield received the Pritzker Prize in 2023, with the jury recognizing his contributions to museum architecture that interweaves past and present. Faro Santander has achieved BREEAM Outstanding certification, the highest BREEAM rating ever awarded to a museum or cultural project. After nine years of renovation, Faro Santander will open on September 8.
