Tarragona’s Mas Mallol building, a listed modernist property with a long school history, is in a poor state of repair and at risk of further damage, according to a technical report commissioned by Escola Pax’s families association.
The report, written by architect Jacqueline Pacheco, says the building has detachments, cracks, pigeon infestations and severe damp. Pacheco described its condition as “bad and in some points dangerous”, after an inspection prompted by concerns from former students.
She said broken windows have allowed birds into the building, leaving rooms heavily soiled by droppings and worsening humidity problems linked to water leaks. The upper floor has been the worst affected since last summer, and the report says fallen roof tiles may have blocked the rainwater channel.
The document also warns of cracks on interior and exterior walls, rotting ends on wooden beams, and signs of attack by wood-boring insects. It adds that there is an “imminent risk of falling cladding materials” in areas where school pupils may pass, and a mesh has already been fitted on part of the facade to catch debris.
Pacheco said she could not confirm whether the main structure is compromised, and noted that, beyond the cracks, there is no immediate “risk of collapse”. Even so, she said the building is at a key point where a decision must be made on whether to repair it or allow further deterioration.
Built in 1923 by architect Francesc de Paula Morera i Gatell as a summer residence for shipping entrepreneur Macià Mallol, the building later became a school during the Franco era and was used by Escola Pax until 2002. It then reopened in 2007 as Escola Olga Xirinacs, before closing in 2012 amid education budget cuts. The AFA plans to send its report to Tarragona City Council, which owns the building, and is calling for action to stop the damage and set out a future use for the property. More local news
