Historical Archives of Euskadi

Spain

Located in the heart of Bilbao, the Historical Archives of Euskadi stands as an architectural and cultural landmark. The building, designed by IDOM, is located on a plot between party walls, 20 meters wide and 70 meters deep. Its main façade, completely glazed and screen-printed with texts from the archive itself, provides transparency and dynamism, breaking the linearity of the street and symbolizing the opening of knowledge to the public.

The architectural program combines public and private spaces, organized vertically according to the degree of access. The ground, basement and first floors house the reception, exhibition halls, assembly hall, reading and projection area. The upper floors, for restricted use, house administrative offices, laboratories, document repositories, technical facilities and parking. The interior design is based on double heights and visual crossings that enrich the spatial experience and allow natural light to enter even in the deepest levels, located more than 20 meters underground.

Beyond its architectural value, the Historical Archives of Euskadi plays an essential role in the preservation of the Basque collective memory and cultural heritage. Since its creation, it has assumed custody of the documents generated by the Basque Government since 1936, as well as of funds from individuals, families, companies and organizations. Its mission is to conserve, organize and facilitate access to this documentation, both for researchers and the general public.

With the capacity to house up to 20 linear kilometers of shelving on its three subway floors, the Historical Archives of Euskadi is a state-of-the-art infrastructure in the field of archiving and historical preservation. Its design not only responds to technical conservation requirements, but also promotes cultural dissemination through exhibitions and activities open to the public.

This IDOM project reflects a perfect symbiosis between functionality, sustainability and commitment to the history and identity of the Basque Country.

Architecture : Design : Leisure & Culture