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Fundacion Caixa Galicia The Fundacion Caixa Galicia designed by Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, is an art & cultural centre in La Coruna, Northern Spain which is dedicated to the collection of the Caixa Galicia, a Spanish bank. The centre is arranged over 5,500 square metres. ICEACSA project managed the building work and Arup were responsible for complex design issues and engineering the structure. The building features panels of fine-grained marble laminated between glass. The cladding panels are 2m x 1m each and rise up the front of the building and over the roof in a saw tooth arrangement. These panels, manufactured in France to precise specifications were supplied by Artifex London. Directly in front of the panels is a translucent screen that will be back projected at night. Arup Facade Engineering assisted the architect with detailed design development for cladding and glazing and the interfaces of cladding and roofing packages. Arup specified a rigorous test regime for the panels for durability, (especially in the local marine climate) and longevity. Advice was sought by the architect for both the external glass envelope and the internal glass links, bridges and floors. The atrium was designed to incorporate shades and vents in addition to special glass coatings to prevent solar heat gain. The building includes inclined panoramic elevators, coloumn-free exhibition galleries and a 300 seat auditorium. The internal glazed 'street' which functions as an atrium, the glass bridges and sculptural twin staircases, give visitors views both into the galleries and down into the double height foyer of the basement auditorium. It comprises 7 floors of superstructure and 4 levels of basement to 28 metres below street level.
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