Rehabilitation of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar School in Madrid
Between 2022 and 2023, the Nuestra Señora del Pilar School —an institution of major educational and architectural significance in Madrid—underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation.
Founded by the Marianist Fathers in 1907, the school quickly became an educational benchmark in the capital. Its steady growth, initially spread across several premises, prompted the search for a permanent site.
The monumental building that houses the Nuestra Señora del Pilar School was designed by architect Manuel Aníbal Álvarez Amorós, with construction carried out between 1910 and 1916. The architect gave the building a symmetrical, octagonal plan arranged around interior courtyards, a layout typical of educational buildings of the period. Its exposed-brick façade displays clear Neo-Gothic lines with Modernist accents.
Over the years, the building has undergone various extensions and adaptations while preserving the identity of its original design. In 1959, architect Luis Moya Blanco designed an extension to accommodate sports facilities, classrooms and offices, carefully respecting the historic fabric.
The most recent rehabilitation, completed in 2023, focused on conserving these historic elements and avoiding alterations that could compromise the integrity of the ensemble.
KEIM mineral paint in the rehabilitation of the Colegio del Pilar
The works were carried out by KALAM, a contractor specialising in the rehabilitation and restoration of historic and heritage buildings. The scope included the restoration of the ornamented façades, beginning with substrate-specific cleaning, followed by application of KEIM Soldalit.
For the painting phase, Pinturas y Decoración Martínez, specialists in mineral coatings, undertook the works, applying KEIM Soldalit in a bespoke colour reference.
KEIM Soldalit is based on KEIM’s sol-silicate principle, which performs highly effectively on mineral substrates and aged renders. As a fully UV-stable silicate paint, its colour remains unchanged over time.
The choice of KEIM’s mineral silicate paint was key to ensuring compatibility with the historic substrate, enabling the original appearance of the façades to be respected while improving protection against the effects of the urban climate.
The intervention restored the visual unity of the school and enhanced its durability, ensuring that this emblematic Madrid landmark will continue to convey its architectural and educational value for many years to come.
Location: Madrid, España
Products: KEIM Soldalit
