Edificio Pereda

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Edificio Pereda: David Chipperfield's architecture at Faro Santander

Edificio Pereda was the historic headquarters of Banco Santander and one of the most iconic buildings on the Paseo de Pereda, overlooking Santander Bay. Following an extensive transformation led by David Chipperfield Architects, it has become Faro Santander, a new cultural centre dedicated to art, culture and technology. The building is home to the Banco Santander Collection, temporary exhibitions, spaces for creativity and experimentation, an auditorium, educational programmes, a café and a restaurant with a panoramic terrace. Listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC), Spain's official designation for protected cultural heritage, it combines the preservation of its architectural heritage with contemporary design and sustainable solutions, making it a landmark of cultural architecture and one of Spain's most significant adaptive reuse projects.

01. The place

The Edificio Pereda occupies a privileged location on Paseo de Pereda, overlooking Santander Bay. Since the late eighteenth century, it has formed part of the city’s urban landscape and for decades served as the historic headquarters of Banco Santander. Its location, between the historic centre and the sea, made it an iconic building that remained in private use. With the creation of Faro Santander, it regains its civic purpose and is transformed into a new space accessible to everyone, where architecture, art and culture engage with the surrounding environment and the everyday life of the city.

02. The opening

The opening of Faro Santander marks a new chapter in the history of Edificio Pereda. The former bank headquarters has been transformed into a cultural centre open to the public, housing the Banco Santander Collection, temporary exhibitions, creative spaces, technological installations and new areas for gathering and exchange. Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, the project is based on a simple yet transformative idea: turning a historically private building into an accessible place dedicated to sharing knowledge, encouraging public participation and enriching the cultural experience.

03. Heritage

The restoration of Edificio Pereda, listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC), is rooted in respect for its history and architectural significance. Rather than erasing the different phases that have shaped the building since 1795, the project embraces them to create a new identity. The intervention preserves its most distinctive architectural features while introducing contemporary solutions capable of meeting the demands of a twenty-first-century museum. The result is a balance between memory, conservation and transformation, turning heritage into a living experience.

04. Progress

The transformation of Edificio Pereda demonstrates how architecture can adapt to the needs of an ever-evolving society. What was once a building dedicated to financial activity has become a centre designed to share knowledge, art and innovation. More than 10,000 square metres, spread across ten levels, accommodate exhibition galleries, educational spaces, an auditorium, technology-focused areas and welcoming places for visitors to gather. Faro Santander represents a new way of understanding heritage: preserving the past while building for the future.

05. The world’s first museum to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification

Faro Santander has become an international benchmark for sustainable architecture by achieving BREEAM Outstanding certification, with the highest score ever awarded to a museum or cultural centre. The refurbishment of Edificio Pereda has enabled a reduction of nearly 47% in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions and more than 69% in mains water consumption, while over 95% of construction waste has been recovered. The building also features intelligent consumption management through a centralised control system, helping to further improve its energy efficiency.

06. The building's history

The origins of Edificio Pereda date back to 1795. Over more than two centuries, the building expanded through successive interventions that reflect both the evolution of Santander and the history of Banco Santander itself. Its institutional appearance contrasted with an interior designed for private use. The restoration respects this historical evolution while establishing the foundation for a new chapter, in which the building becomes an open cultural space for the city.

07. The arch

The grand central arch is one of the most recognisable features of Edificio Pereda and the backbone of its transformation. The intervention reinterprets it as a space for connection: the partial enclosure of its upper section makes the building’s internal circulation visible and enhances its permeability. With the main entrances located beneath the arch, this monumental space becomes a gateway between the city and the sea, symbolising the transformation of a former bank headquarters into a public space open to everyone.

08. The statues

The façade of Edificio Pereda features a remarkable sculptural ensemble that forms part of its architectural identity. Four sculptures by José Planes Peñalver crown the building, representing Agriculture, Banking, Commerce and Navigation, accompanied by figures depicting the Four Seasons on the side blocks. The decorative scheme also includes Santander’s coat of arms and a large frieze representing the relationship between banking, navigation, commerce, agriculture, livestock farming and Cantabrian heritage. The eight sculptures were removed in 2020 and restored as part of the building’s conservation process.

0.9 Los jardines

Los jardines de Faro Santander amplían el compromiso medioambiental del edificio y acercan la naturaleza a un entorno plenamente urbano. El proyecto incorpora nuevas zonas verdes y vegetación para favorecer la biodiversidad, mejorar la calidad ambiental y contribuir al bienestar de quienes visitan el centro. Entre las iniciativas previstas se encuentran espacios para favorecer la presencia de insectos y una huerta vertical, donde se cultivarán plantas aromáticas y otras especies que podrán integrarse en la actividad del restaurante de Faro Santander. De esta forma, arquitectura, naturaleza y sostenibilidad se conectan también en la experiencia cotidiana del edificio.

10. Compromiso

Faro Santander nace con el compromiso de acercar el arte, la cultura y la innovación a toda la sociedad. La transformación del Edificio Pereda responde a una visión compartida entre Fundación Banco Santander y David Chipperfield Architects: crear un espacio inclusivo, accesible y conectado con la ciudad. Además de preservar un edificio histórico, el proyecto impulsa nuevas formas de participación cultural, fomenta la creatividad y apuesta por la sostenibilidad como parte esencial de su identidad. El resultado es un centro pensado para convertirse en un referente cultural tanto en Santander como en el ámbito internacional.