© Rubén P. Bescós
The origins of the San Francisco Javier Centre for psychogeriatrics on the north-eastern edge of Pamplona date back to the 19th century. The complex was planned in the form of a symmetrical monastery, laid out about a courtyard in narrow strips with cell-like nursing spaces. This ideal plan remained incomplete, however. In the 20th century, a cross-tract, a central entrance pavilion and further cross-strips disrupted the stringency of the layout.
After a two-stage competition for the refurbishment and extension was held in 2009, little was left of the original clarity of the overall concept. In the meantime, the first stage of construction of the master plan drawn up by Vaillo+Irigaray has been completed and unites different goals: the removal of poor quality earlier extensions to achieve a clear urban and typological appearance; the strengthening of the original structure; and an intensive compaction and rehabilitation programme with the creation of many more rooms.
After a two-stage competition for the refurbishment and extension was held in 2009, little was left of the original clarity of the overall concept. In the meantime, the first stage of construction of the master plan drawn up by Vaillo+Irigaray has been completed and unites different goals: the removal of poor quality earlier extensions to achieve a clear urban and typological appearance; the strengthening of the original structure; and an intensive compaction and rehabilitation programme with the creation of many more rooms.