Faro Santander

Despite its uniform appearance, Faro Santander grew incrementally, with the earliest parts dating back to 1795. It evolved from two separate residential buildings into a unified headquarters connected by an open arch, added in 1951, which bridges the Calle Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola. This iconic archway both defines and divides the building. The design envisages the arch as a connector, establishing it as a central spine by partially enclosing the upper section to connect both sides of the building. Here the circulation is visible, signalling a new openness and celebrating the transformation of the bank into a major public venue for the city. Despite this glazed infill, the arch retains its urban qualities as a recognisable gateway between the city and the sea.

The domestic scale and compromised internal layout of the existing building were incompatible with the spatial requirements of a public museum. The design preserves and restores the building's historic façades – including all 107 original windows and the rooftop sculptures – while creating new gallery spaces behind. Materials from the original interior, including timber flooring and marble, were salvaged and reused in the new spaces.

Most of the building is dedicated to new galleries for the Banco Santander collection, which has been relocated from Madrid and includes work by Rubens, El Greco, Picasso, Chillida and Miró. A range of single and double-height spaces suits the wide range and scale of artworks while the existing windows allow filtered natural light into the gallery spaces.

Beyond its cultural programme, Faro Santander also houses a multimedia exhibition space explaining the history of the bank, the city and the building alongside a multipurpose space and a café. At the top, a new pavilion houses a restaurant and opens onto a terrace that can host events and functions while offering panoramic views over the bay and the city. In opening this previously inaccessible building to the public, Faro Santander becomes an active part of the city’s social and cultural life.