Until not too long ago, seeking shelter in air-conditioned stores or shopping centers was one of the few ways to stay cool and safe from the heat during Madrid’s hottest months. However, climate change and increasingly frequent heat waves have led to the emergence of “climate shelters”—free, thermally comfortable spaces like the one Infinito Delicias is opening this summer.
This building, located at 5 Doña Juana Street (in the Arganzuela district), joins the capital’s network of climate shelters so that anyone can seek refuge from the heat, but it also goes far beyond that.
“This shelter is a place people can visit naturally, so that whoever comes here feels at home and can connect, rest, or simply be, ”says Javier Martín-Jiménez, director of Infinito Delicias.
What is the free climate refuge at Infinito Delicias like?
The shelter is centered around an interior garden, surrounded by rest areas, a nap room, reading spaces, tables for conversation or play, and a playroom for babies and young children to enjoy with their families.
Throughout the summer, the space will also undergo transformations through various projects. For example, the Zuloark collective will lead an open design and construction workshop in which neighbors and visitors can participate; the workshop will culminate in the creation of tables, benches, and other pieces of furniture that will become part of the shelter.
As is often the case in these types of spaces, vegetation will play a key role in creating cooler and more pleasant environments during the summer. In addition, a plant-sitting service will be available, so that those going on vacation can leave their plants in a place where they’ll be well cared for in the meantime.
