Abandoibarra

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Abandoibarra district, the former site of port activity with its 348,000 m2, represents the exaltation of architecture and urban planning, and is undoubtedly the area par excellence of the new Bilbao. The old wharfs, quays and piers gave way to the grassy areas now surrounding Bilbao's grandiose buildings which provide needed space for rest, relaxation and recreation.

The enlargement of the Super Port and transferring the sea containers away from the River of Bilbao, freed up room for new architectural icons and such emblematic buildings as Frank GEHRY's Guggenheim

Museum, Rafael MONEO's University of Deusto Library, Alvaro's SIZA's Auditorium of the Basque Public University (UPVEHU) and Cesar PELLI's Iberdrola Tower.

Urban remodelling of this district began in 1998 following the Master Plan elaborated by urban designer Diana BALMORI, and architects Cesar PELLI and Eugenio AGUINAGA, who explained the importance of Abandoibarra as: “Inevitably, the fundamental lines and features have not varied in successive versions of the plan.

To paraphrase Kant: 'it's what the city wants to be.�'

Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall Opening in 1999, the Euskalduna Conference Centre was erected on the same spot as the shipyard, Astilleros Euskalduna, built ships for close to a century. Despite being located rather close to the Guggenheim Museum, the Conference Centre is an emblematic building in Bilbao in its own right, with its own distinct identity.

The architecture of the Euskalduna Conference Centre is a reminder of the industrial dynamism of a not so distant past.

Thus, architects Federico SORIANO and Dolores PALACIOS were inspired to conceive the project as a two sided ship, reminiscent of a ship's hull: one side seems to lean out toward the River imitates a ship built of corten iron, allowing a thin layer of rust to form; on the side facing the city, glass, aluminium and stone offer a less aggressive appearance.

Inside, however, one finds the jewel of the Euskalduna, the auditorium. Seating 2,000 people, it was designed by the Catalonian specialist in architectural acoustics Higini ARAU.

Furthermore, the Euskalduna has been enlarged on the adjacent plot of land where the public square is presently located in front of the Abandoibarra Promenade entrance, between the road and the pond on one side.

Deusto Library The University of Deusto had been deliberating the idea of building a new library for years, but had never taken the plunge until the opportunity of crossing the Ibaizabal-Nervion River arose.

Completed in 2010, the renowned architect, Rafael MONEO, designed the building as a monolithic mass, with rounded corners, functional and full of light, a place for students and researchers to work with the maximum of comfort.

Indeed, a notable feature of the new building in Abandoibarra is the translucent glass blocks which augment the skylight effect and providing sound and heat insulation. For example, the coffee shop has abundant natural light despite being at street level.

As a result of his serene design in remodelling the Arenberg Campus

Library of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, Rafael MONEO was invited by the Jesuits to help bring Deusto University into the 21st century.

Thus, the Spanish architect from Navarre was called upon to contribute both to this vital project, and to participate in the creation of the new Bilbao.

Basque Public University Auditorium With this latest 8,000 m2 construction, which also houses an auditorium and various meeting and conference rooms, the Basque Public University (UPV-EHU) will now have a place in Abandoibarra as of 2010, thanks to the Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa-BBK Savings Bank who invested 造18 million in this project, which it later donated to the University.

Known for his eagerness to respect surroundings and seek the utility of all his projects, architect, Alvaro SIZA's design of the new auditorium successfully resolved the initial matter of erecting this building under the pressure of having the Guggenheim Museum as a neighbour. However, this was before he realized that the new Iberdrola Tower would stand just a few metres away from his project.

Bilbao Maritime Museum Opening its doors in 2001, the Bilbao Maritime Museum is hidden under the Euskalduna roundabout, next to the bridge of the same name, surprising all who enter. It was the engineering company Sener who was commissioned with devising the optimum use of the space. The result is an almost invisible building under the road, and which joins the Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart) area with Deusto. The two-storied building has sloping ceilings and the columns appear to be bearing the weight of the Euskalduna roundabout.

At the front of the museum, near its entrance, stands the Karola crane. It was used for many years by the shipyards, now remaining intact and impassive on the edge of the River, a vestige of days gone by.

Iberdrola Tower and Adjacent Housing “Simple, elegant, ecological and sustainable” is how Argentine architect Cesar PELLI defines his latest project, “The Tower”, deemed to be a new architectural icon in Bilbao. The imposing skyscraper has become the future headquarters of the Iberdorla electric company of Basque origin. Making his fame in other high altitude construction feats such as the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia, Mr PELLI now brings his expertise to Bilbao.

With construction beginning in 2007, and completed in 2011, the 41 storey Iberdrola Tower has a total area of 500,000 m2 and measures 165 metres high. The residential buildings around it were designed by architect Carlos FERRATER, with double-glazed ecological glass will offer greater energy efficiency and protection to the interior. A hotel was originally to be housed in the upper floors, however, that idea had to be cancelled due to the economic downturn.

Iberdrola's decision to move one of their headquarters to Bilbao has been major one for the city and the local economy. This follows the electric company's plan to locate their work places in emblematic buildings in strategic areas of growing cities.

Plaza Euskadi Plaza Euskadi has been bringing people from the Ensanche district nearer to the River of Bilbao since the end of 2008, apart from facilitating the traffic flow of 34,000 vehicles daily. Under the auspices of Bilbao City Hall and Bilbao Ría 2000, the public company responsible for urban regeneration, the whole complex of roundabout, plaza, and an underground car park for 800 vehicles was developed.

Urban designer Diana BALMORI planned on converting the 14,500 m2 of the centre of the large roundabout into a large park. A reflecting pool was also to be surrounded by 66 Lime and Large Plane Trees to buffer the park from the traffic. Unfortunately, as a consequence of the economic downturn and other inevitable budget restraints, the pool and the pathways had to be eliminated from the plan.

What does remain from the plan is its essence:

a double row of trees on either side of the path which passes through the plaza.

This extension of green grass will be contemplated by anyone who looks at the housing block in the centre of the plaza developed by Vizcaina de Edificaciones. Over 40 sculptures will be placed around the Artklass Building in order to adorn it.

Located in the Plaza proper, Luxembourger architect Robert KRIER, has had the help of French architect, Marc BRETMAN and Basque architect, Iñaki AURREKOETXEA for this one of a kind project. The human figures created specifically for this construction are intended to contrast with the rest of the edifice.

Its six façades and eight stories will house 190 luxury dwellings. As Mr KRIER himself defined it, “It is inspired in 19th century construction and has been a once in a lifetime opportunity”.

Variante ovoide de la desocupación de la esfera. Jorge Oteiza.

Memory Lane Sculptures in Abandoibarra The Memory Lane sculpture collection is found in Ribera Park, a reminder of the vitality of the area's industrial past.

Opposite Bilbao City Hall is Jorge OTEIZA's melted bronze figure “Variante ovoide de la desocupación de la esfera”.

Mamá. Louise Bourgeois.

Continuing along the Ensanche de Abandoibarra, these other sculptures continue to remind us of the city's industrial past: Angel GARRAZA's “Sitios y Lugares” (Sites and Places) and Jose ZUGASTI's “A la deriva” (Adrift). Next to the Guggenheim Museum, we find Louise BOURGEOIS' famous giant spider, christened “Mamá” (Maman).

Sitios y Lugares. Ángel Garraza

A la deriva. José Zugasti.

The street lights with square bases made of glass on one side while the other side is covered with rusting iron, along with the long row of palm trees, give Abandoibarra a futuristic feel. The sections of wood on the ground give a pier type structure to the river bank, making passers-by feel closer to the River, both physically and psychologically.

Finally, next to the Guggenheim Museum is a 26,400 m2 park known as La Campa de los Ingleses. The park, which ties together the various architectural elements of Abandoibarra, gets its name from English port workers who used to kick a ball around in this very place. Later the game of football caught on and the rest is history.