Conceived as an international landmark in the dissemination of art, culture, and education, and also as a new activity hub to invigorate city life in Santander, the Botín Centre by Renzo Piano involves a complete urban transformation that restores the connections between the historic fabric and the bay, restructuring the Albareda harbor and the Pereda gardens. Promoted by the Botín Foundation – established in 1964 to promote social, economic, and cultural development in Cantabria –, and strongly supported by the former president of Banco Santander, Emilio Botín (deceased in 2014), the Botín Centre is the first building by the Italian Pritzker laureate in Spain. 

The building is completely faced with an envelope of 280,000 small ceramic tiles, slightly rounded and with a vibrant pearl color that reflects sunlight, the sparkle of the water, and the atmosphere and movement of the city.
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