On the outskirts of the town of Derio, near Bilbao, the Barcelona firm AV62 – led by Toño Foraster – was commissioned by APNABI (Association of families of people with autism spectrum disorders) to design this day center for young persons diagnosed with ASD, who can here learn skills and gain know-how in farming and gardening. The idea is to integrate the autistic community into the municipality and equip them for inclusion in its workforce.

Built with steel and translucent polycarbonate, a greenhouse volume contains within it a series of modules clad in prefabricated panels of cross-laminated timber (CLT). With a bioclimatic enclosure, the building encompasses a large outdoor space that acts as a ‘square’ and a series of wooden modules for training activities, a multipurpose classroom, a living and resting area, a kitchen, and a dining room. The construction system is comparable to that of an agricultural farming greenhouse, with automatic opening and shutting devices regulating the intake of sunshine and air. Temperatures can thus be regulated to fluctuate between 16ºC and 30ºC, acting as a thermal cushion and helping to keep the wooden modules comfortable, with little energy consumption.