Rationalist Route I - 03 Territorial Education Offices

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Category: Routes · Subcategory: Rationalism route · Year: 1931 · Authors: Rafael Massanet y Faus, Juan de Zavala Lafora

One of the few rationalist architecture works in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria that did not come from the studio of architect Miguel Martín Fernández de la Torre, although the similarities with his works of that time are evident. 

This building, located on Avenida Primero de Mayo, was designed in 1931 by Rafael Massanet and Juan de Zavala, both architects with a strong tradition in eclectic typology architecture who, influenced by the period, adopted the pure rationalism prevailing at that time in the city for this work.

In the building, intended from the start to house offices, we observe clear features of what was then called "new architecture": flat roof, smooth façade without ornamentation, first floor covered with a different material from the rest of the floors, regularly shaped openings framed by metallic and industrial materials, concrete visor at the top, and other typical aspects of rationalism.

These premises housed the headquarters of the Instituto Nacional de Previsión until well into the 1960s, then became home to the newspaper Hoy , and currently house the Territorial Education Offices of the Government of the Canary Islands.

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