The city hidden behind the facades: Open House Palma returns

PalmThe urban landscape of each of us is made up of a large number of buildings that, in the collective imagination, are little more than a facade: we walk past them every day and often know almost nothing about them. Not who built them, what decisions were made, or what stories lie hidden within. For the fifth consecutive year, the Open House festival, which takes place between November 10 and 16 in Palma, invites us to fill in all these gaps. It does so with some sixty openings that include historic and modern buildings, as well as public and private spaces, allowing us to explore the city's past and present, and imagine its future, with the simple act of walking through the doors around us. Here are four of the buildings that are part of this year's edition.

East House and West House

Son Vida, Almadra Street, 1. Architect: Ester Morro

It's not one house, it's two. And, like twins, they have much in common. One could even say that, in essence, they are identical, yet each possesses its own distinct personality. With stone walls and sliding shutters as a unifying element, along with a striking clean line in the volumes, each dwelling finds its own way of relating to light and the natural surroundings. The latter, in fact, forms part of the architectural design of the buildings, which are partially buried in the site, allowing them to maintain the discretion that defines these homes without sacrificing their views.

Villa Bonet

El Terreno, Francesc Rosselló, 1. Architect: Carlos Garau

As an example of modernity in a traditional setting: that's how Villa Bonet stood in the Terreno neighborhood when it was built in 1932. Designed by architect Carles Garau i Tornabells, son of engineer Pere Garau and responsible for the design of the former Rotger Clinic, among other projects, it is the only example of architecture with a clear purpose. Furthermore, during the 1980s, the building became the headquarters of the Casablanca bar, run by Alfredo and Toni Bonet, along with José María Forteza, and quickly became a meeting point for the cultural scene and young people of the time.

Poor Little Sisters

Calle General Riera, 17. Architect: Gaspar Bennàssar

Who hasn't noticed the imposing façade, adorned with red shutters each crowned with an arch, that bisects one of Palma's main thoroughfares, General Riera Street? The Little Sisters of the Poor residence is one of the many contributions with which the architect Gaspar Bennàssar i Moner shaped the city's character between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With its eclectic neo-historical façade, the building sits on a plot of over 14,700 square meters, complete with extensive gardens and orchards. It has now been converted into a public social and healthcare center, following its acquisition by the Consell de Mallorca just over a year ago.

Emili Darder Building

Calle de Jesús, 38A. Architects: Javier Bonet, Boris Pena and Antoni Pericas

Any color can stand out in an urban setting, especially when a handful of them are combined across a facade crisscrossed by lines of yellow, green, pink, orange, and blue. However, the metal mesh cladding the exterior of the Health Department's administrative building, located above the Riera Park, softens the impact of the colorful stained-glass windows. The boldness of the facade contrasts with the serenity of the interior, arranged around a large, illuminated courtyard over twelve meters high, which serves as a central hub for the various workspaces within this building, designed to be as welcoming and bright as it is functional and efficient.