Camouflage by Day –Beacon by Night Bressol Xiroi Daycare Centre

Since the opening of the Escola Bressol Xiroi daycare centre, the black locust trees at Carrer d’Europa 41 have grown tall, their canopies almost obscuring the building. With its green and ochre tones, the perforated corrugated cladding on the facade blends with the trees’ lush foliage. When the sun shines and the wind stirs the branches, a play of light and shadow animates the facade. But the shell that envelops the property also serves a very practical purpose: protecting the children inside. Unlike most educational institutions in Spain, which are surrounded by massive, high walls, Escola Bressol Xiroi’s protective shell allows views inside. The degree of transparency changes depending on the viewing angle and how much the corrugated metal overlaps. Generous openings are cut into the facade in three places, providing an unobstructed view of the playground and interior spaces. The facade appears closed in other areas, where the three-storey school building is closer to the perforated envelope. But things are different on the inside, where the

The different parts of the building are enclosed by the perforated shell, as if in a construction kit. The outer shell marks the property boundary and protects its young users.