Foldable shutters by Miralles and Pinós [449]

This filter solves formal and functionally the south façade of the Civic Center in Balenyà, designed by Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós. They proposed a blind of fixed slats that can be opened with a pulley and a gear system. Currently an inner retractable curtain has been added, because slats couldn’t prevent from dazzling. Although it is an interesting case, the opening device is not always working due to exposure to climatic agents and a lack of proper maintenance.

We can see that the upper frame of the blind is attached to the railing of the balcony upstairs and the panel separates from the sliding door to get to the bottom floor where it is also attached.

The building was one of the first works of the famous architect. We could locate it in a style between Deconstructivism and Brutalism, allowing materials to be seen (concrete, metal, wood ...). The building is placed occupying exactly half the site, leaving a public square. It was designed as a Cultural and Civic but it currently acts as City Hall.

General view of the building: