A modern building stands before us. It is the Centro Cívico Anabel Segura. This center is more than just bricks and mortar. It holds a poignant story. It also stands as a testament to a community’s resilience.
The Centro Cívico Anabel Segura opened its doors on February 26, 1999. Back then, the area was called Barrio 7. The building was named in memory of Anabel Segura. She was a young Alcobendas resident. Tragically, she was kidnapped and murdered. This crime deeply affected the city and its people.
The construction of the Centro Cívico Anabel Segura cost approximately 1.3 million euros. It was a significant investment. The building was designed in a vanguard style. Originally, it housed a modern library.
Today, the Centro Cívico Anabel Segura hosts the office of the Council of the Urbanizaciones District. It also features a large exhibition hall. About ten exhibitions take place here every year. The center has become a vital hub. It serves the Urbanizaciones district and the wider city. It enriches the area’s life and culture.
In 2019, the Centro Cívico Anabel Segura celebrated its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a commemorative event was held. Students from the Municipal School of Music and Dance performed a concert.
The building’s architecture is notable. It is a compact structure. The design incorporates heavy, stone-like elements. The architects created interesting spaces by carving into the solid volume. This produces unique “voids”.
The Centro Cívico Anabel Segura has two main entrances. These entrances converge into a vertical space. This space contains the main circulation areas. It connects the two horizontal levels. The ground floor houses a multipurpose hall, public service offices, and three classrooms.
The first floor contains two libraries. One is for adults and one for children. These libraries flow in a continuous horizontal space. A transverse glass box interrupts this flow. The glass box creates varied relationships with the outside world and light.
The location of the Centro Cívico Anabel Segura is also significant. It sits in a tertiary area of detached buildings. It marks the boundary between Avenida de Pardillares and the El Soto de la Moraleja residential area. The building’s design responds to the avenue. It offers a broad perspective from the highway. At the same time, it relates to the residential area on a pedestrian scale.
A bust was unveiled in Anabel Segura’s honor. The bust was created by artist José Torres Guardia. The family donated it. They wanted to thank Alcobendas for its support.
The Centro Cívico Anabel Segura stands as a lasting tribute. It commemorates a young life lost too soon. It also provides a space for community engagement and cultural enrichment. The center embodies the spirit of Alcobendas. It honors Anabel Segura’s memory.