Images

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Interior view of Azkuna Zentroa, a spacious cultural area with a modern architectural design that combines industrial and traditional elements. A large atrium with a smooth, shiny floor is visible, surrounded by an exposed steel structure supporting the vaulted ceiling. In the center of the space hangs a large luminous art installation, appearing as a glowing sphere in shades of orange and yellow, suspended within a white square frame. To the right, there is an interior structure resembling a red brick building with multiple arched windows in rows, seemingly elevated on pillars decorated with sculptural motifs. Warm lighting illuminates the space, creating a welcoming and modern atmosphere that invites visitors to explore and experience the cultural setting.
Interior view of Azkuna Zentroa highlighting a large sculptural pillar decorated in a very colorful and striking manner. The pillar is painted bright red and wrapped by a large bird’s claw or talon with golden and blue scales that appear to encircle it realistically. The claw has sharp black talons gripping the pillar. In the background, the building’s structure is visible, with red brick walls, arched windows, and other pillars adorned with reliefs and artistic motifs. Warm lighting enhances the vivid colors of the central pillar and creates a welcoming and lively atmosphere in the spacious area.

Azkuna Zentroa

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Description

Azkuna Zentroa, the Center for Contemporary Society and Culture in Bilbao, combines a local and international perspective and is open to dialogue with all communities. It is a space where culture is experienced as practice, process, and engagement, working with artists, agents, and diverse communities through a hybrid and multilateral program that brings contemporary culture closer to all audiences. The center pays special attention to current creation in Basque and to feminist perspectives in art, using mediation and education as tools to generate critical knowledge and transform society through culture.

Azkuna Zentroa offers accessible infrastructure and resources so that everyone can enjoy culture on equal terms. The center continuously works to improve its spaces and programming, incorporating new accessibility measures each year.

Features and services

The commercial policy regarding people with functional diversity

Is there a special rate for people with functional diversity and/or their companions?
Yes
Special rate type
Access to the center is free. Some activities held in the exhibition halls or the auditorium may require the purchase of tickets. Depending on the organizer, there may be special rates for people with functional diversity.

Accessibility policy

Is there an accessibility certificate?
Yes
What certificate?
AENOR UNE 170001 in Universal Accessibility.
Is there a dedicated printed accessibility plan?
No

Specialized support for people with functional diversity

Has staff received specific training in dealing with people with functional diversity?
Yes

Communicationo adaptation

Is an internet point with a Jaws voice system available?
Yes
Are magnetic loop systems available?
Yes
Is information available regarding facilities and services in accessible text?
Yes
Is information available regarding facilities and services in Braille?
Yes
Does any staff know sign language?
Yes
Is there an audio guide service?
Yes
Is the work adapted for blind people?
Yes
Is adapted information available (simple text)
Yes
Is there any means of communication specifically designed for people with functional diversity?
Yes
Easy to read work information
Yes
Observations

Guided visits adapted for different groups are offered, taking into account the most accessible routes and providing the necessary support elements for each case, such as wheelchairs or presentations in easy-to-understand language for older adults or people with comprehension or language limitations. The center provides magnifying glasses, computer applications with text enlargement programs (zoom), and ergonomic mice on loan. In addition, it facilitates contact with providers specialized in sign language interpreters and offers audioguide devices on loan, with new units planned for 2025.

To promote accessible reading, the center offers reading clubs in easy-to-read format, acquires adapted copies for loan, and has had an adapted reading point since 2023. The signage in the center includes braille, relief, and pictograms for people who are blind or have visual impairments, and audioguides, easy-to-read brochures, and other support resources are available so that all visitors can enjoy culture in an accessible way.

Personal Assistance and lending of technical aids

There is a service for lending technical mobility aids
Yes
Are assistance dogs/guide dogs allowed?
Yes

Environment accessibility

Is the establishment in a location with significant urban barriers or where there are problems to get access to motor vehicles?
Yes
Can the establishment be accessed with a motorised vehicle?
Yes

Public transport

Availability of public transport
Yes
Type of transport

Bus

  • Line: Bilbobus: Lineas 18 y 76
  • Distance: 200m

Underground

  • Line: 1
  • Station: Indautxu y Moyua
  • Distance: 350m

Parking

Parking available inside
Yes
Public parking available nearby
Yes
Parking spaces reserved for PRM in the public space
Yes

  • Location / Address
    Alameda de Urquijo, 43
    Are there any appropriately marked reserved spaces?
    Yes
    Number of spaces
    7
    Difficulty of access and mobility inside
    No

  • Are there any appropriately marked reserved spaces?
    4

  • Parking name
    Parking "Instituto Miguel de Unamuno".
    Location / Address
    Alameda de Urquijo 14.
    Distance
    350 m
    Are there any appropriately marked reserved spaces?
    Yes
    Number of spaces
    15
    Difficulty of access and mobility inside
    No
Observations
The nearby marked parking spaces for people with reduced mobility (PRM) on public streets are distributed along Iparraguirre Street (1), Alameda de Urquijo (1), Alameda de San Mamés (1), and Arriquibar Plaza (1).

Entrance to the establishment

Number of entrances
4
Entrance(s) accessible for PRM
Yes

  • Is it appropriately signposted?
    Yes
    Address
    Fernández del Campo
    Access to the building from the public space (level)
    Zero level
    Type of door
    Permanently open
    Passage width
    ≥ 0.90 m
Observations
The building has four entrances located at Arriquibar Plaza, Iparraguirre Street, Fernández del Campo Street, and Rekalde Alameda. All four accesses are open spaces without doors. Only the entrance on Iparraguirre Street has access barriers, consisting of stairs. The main entrance is located at Arriquibar Plaza. Access to the building’s door is via two ramp sections: the first section is 2.30 meters wide, with a slope of less than 8% and no handrails on either side; the second section (length 19 m / height 1.70 m) is in front of the main façade, 20 meters wide, with a slope of approximately 9% and handrails on both sides. Access via Iparraguirre Street is also possible by stairs or alternatively by elevator. The entrance on Fernández del Campo Street is at level 0.

Indoor circulation

Main aisle width of at least 1.80 m
Yes
Secondary aisle width of at least 1.20 m
Yes
Inside doors of at least 90 cm
Yes
Floor surface with guiding strips and orientation systems
Yes

Emergency exit

Does the emergency door have panic bars?
Yes

Information desk

Is part of this 0.70 - 0.85 m high?
Yes

Vertical mobility

Floors
The establishment has more than 1 floor.

  • Does it have at least one lift?
    Yes
    Is access available to all floors?
    Yes
    Automatic opening
    Yes
    Exit and entry at ground level with no height differences
    Yes
    Depth > 1.40 m
    Yes
    Door width
    ≥ 0.90 m
    Area outside the cabin with the possibility of turning 1.50 m
    Yes
    Keypad at 1 - 1.30 m
    Yes
    Buttons on panel with symbols in braille or relief
    Yes
    Acoustic floor signage
    Yes
    Accessible alarm systems
    Yes
    Automatic control and closing systems
    Yes
    Are there any other elevators?
    Yes
    Can they be considered accessible?
    Yes
Observations
The center has six elevators. Two elevators connect the Atrium of Cultures on the ground floor (PLANTA CERO) with the first and second basement levels (PISO MENOS UNO and PISO MENOS DOS). One elevator connects these lower floors (PISO MENOS UNO and PISO MENOS DOS) with the exterior of the building (exit via Alameda de Urquijo). Another elevator connects the Atrium of Cultures on the ground floor with the first floor, where the entrance to the BBK Mediateka is located. The fifth elevator connects the ground floor with the Panoramic and Exhibition Terrace on the fourth floor. An internal elevator provides access from the first floor to the two upper floors (+2/+3) of the BBK Mediateka.

WC

There is at least 1 service that can be considered as PRM accessible
Yes
Access door
width of ≥ 0.90 m
Outward opening sliding or swing door
Yes
You can make a 1.50 m circle inside
Yes
Washbasin without a base. 0.80M high
Yes
Adjustable height washbasin
No
Single lever or push button tap
Yes
Toilet height of 0.40 - 0.50 m
Yes
Support rails in the restroom
Yes
Two bars. At least one is folding
Yes
Distress call system
Yes
Call system in the entire WC
Yes
Free front space of 0.80 x 1.20 m for all toilets
Yes

Conference hall

Access to the venue without barriers
Yes
Minimum width of the entrance door: 0.90 m
Yes
Aisle width > 1.80 m
Yes
Spaces reserved for wheelchair users
Yes
Number of reserved spaces
8

Location