It is named after the country of Spain, whose government helped fund the project through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.

The three buildings each house different programs: the library, the training rooms, and the auditorium, which was donated by the Spanish government.

The library was intentionally created with small windows, so that visitors could disconnect from the surrounding conditions of the neighborhood.

[5] At the end of the 20th century, the northwest barrio of Santo Domingo, located in the 1st commune, was considered one of the most dangerous places in Latin America.

[6] As late as 2003, the people were not allowed to stay on the streets after 5 p.m. and the area was controlled at night by urban militias.