Instituto de Puericultura, Public health building in Gijón, Spain.
The Instituto de Puericultura is a public health building in Gijón featuring an L-shaped design with two towers, stone walls, and carved wooden eaves that span an entire city block. The architectural layout creates distinctive corner elements and defined spaces that give the structure its recognizable form.
Designed by Miguel García de la Cruz, the building opened in 1925 and was dedicated to improving child healthcare services from the start. It underwent expansions in 1927 and 1933 to increase its capacity and expand its functions.
The main entrance displays an inscription stating 'Those who build houses for children tear down prison walls', which reflects the institution's commitment to child welfare. This message shows how the building was created to support and protect young people as a core mission.
The structure now functions as headquarters for the Municipal Foundation of Social Services of Gijón, addressing community needs through its operations. Visitors can best appreciate the building's architecture by viewing it from the street and surrounding areas to see its distinctive form and details.
Original Talavera tiles with inscriptions about motherhood and hand-carved wooden furniture are still preserved throughout the interior spaces. These details reveal the care taken in designing the rooms specifically for families and children.
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