The Spanish architectural landscape is in turmoil... Local creators or international stars turned this peninsula into one of the finest experimentation grounds.
Spain : the future's lab. Photos ŠMarc Dozier/Lightmediation Text ŽMarc Dozier and Rafael Pic Contact - Thierry Tinacci Lightmediation Photo Agency +33 (0)6 61 80 57 21 thierry@lightmediation.com
1547-01: The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava in Valencia.
1547-01: The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava in Valencia.
1547-02: The Puerta America Hotel and his facade by french architect Jean Nouvel in Madrid.
1547-03: The Barajas International Airport in Madrid, the Terminal 4 (T4) by architects Carlos Lamela and Richard Rogers
1547-04: The Mirador apartment in Madrid, build by Dutch architect agency MVRDV
1547-08: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
1547-05: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-06: The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia
1547-07: The Reina Sophia Museum in Madrid and his triangular extension to the back of the first building by French architect Jean Nouvel
1547-08: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
1547-17: The Congress Palace by architect Norman Foster in Valencia
1547-09: the Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona.
1547-10: Spain, Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, the aquarium (main building 's roof and restaurant by FĂŠlix Candela)
1547-11: In Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, elevator
1547-12: The 7th floor of the Puerta America hotel by designer Ron Arad in Madrid
1547-03: The Barajas International Airport in Madrid, the Terminal 4 (T4) by architects Carlos Lamela and Richard Rogers
1547-13: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-14: Santa Caterina market by architect Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue in Barcelona
1547-15: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-16: Atocha-Mediod'a, the tropical garden of Atocha Station modernized by architect Rafael Moneo in Madrid
1547-38: The Puerta America hotel, the 8th floor, hall by architect Kathryn Findlay, In Madrid
1547-17: The Congress Palace by architect Norman Foster in Valencia
1547-18: The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona
1547-19: The two Kio towers at Puerta de Europa distric by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee in Madrid
1547-20: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-19: The two Kio towers at Puerta de Europa distric by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee in Madrid
1547-21: The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Palau de les Arts, in Valencia
1547-22: Not far from Fuente de San Luis, toboggan nicknamed The Giant in Valencia
1547-23: The Bodega Ysios by architect Santiago Calatrava in Laguardia (Spanish Basque Country)
1547-24:The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-10: Spain, Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, the aquarium (main building 's roof and restaurant by FĂŠlix Candela)
1547-25: The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona
1547-26: The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia
1547-27: The Reina Sophia Museum, library by French architect Jean Nouvel in Madrid
1547-28: The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona
1547-49: The Palau de los Arts, at the City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, in Valencia
1547-29: The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia
1547-30: The Cesar Manrique fundaci贸n, former house of the artist converted into museum, the salon in lava bubble in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands)
1547-31: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-32: The Mirador apartment in Madrid, build by Dutch architect agency MVRDV
1547-37: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-33: Espagne, Madrid, Hôtel Puerta America, le 1er étage, hall par l' architecte Zaha Hadid /// The Puerta America hotel, on the 1st floor, the hall by architect Zaha Hadid, in Madrid
1547-34: Espagne, Navarre, Echauri (Etxauri), Otazu, la Bodega Otazu, les voûtes souterraines de béton moulé de l' architecte Jaime Gaztelu ont valu aux chais le surnom de temple du vin /// Bodega Otazu,
1547-35: Espagne, Valence, la Cité des Arts et des Sciences de l' architecte Santiago Calatrava, l' aquarium (les toitures du bâtiment principal et du restaurant conçues par Félix Candela) /// The City of
1547-36: Espagne, Catalogne, Barcelone, la Tour Agbar (Torre Agbar) de l' architecte français Jean Nouvel pour les bureaux de la Compagnie des Eaux de Barcelone /// The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by
1547-02: The Puerta America Hotel and his facade by french architect Jean Nouvel in Madrid.
1547-37: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-38: The Puerta America hotel, the 8th floor, hall by architect Kathryn Findlay, In Madrid
1547-39: The Mirador apartment in Madrid, build by Dutch architect agency MVRDV
1547-40: Bodega Otazu, underground moulded concrete wine cellars by architect Jaime Gaztelu which gave them the name Wine Temple in Otazu (Navarre)
1547-15: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-41: The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona
1547-42: The Mirador apartment in Madrid, build by Dutch architect agency MVRDV
1547-43: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1547-44: The Puerta America hotel, on the 1st floor, bedroom by architect Zaha Hadid, in Madrid
1547-06: The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia
1547-45: The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia
1547-46: The Reina Sophia Museum, library by French architect Jean Nouvel in Madrid
1547-47: The Cesar Manrique fundaci贸n, former house of the artist converted into museum, the salon in lava bubble in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands)
1547-48: The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Spain : the future's lab. The Spanish architectural landscape is in turmoil. Local creators or international stars turned this peninsula into one of the finest experimentation grounds. At the start of this 21st century, Spain is undoubtedly the future of architecture country! Iberia indeed attracts architects from all over, glad to challenge one another in a spirit of competition: as many Spanish talents such as Moneo, Calatrava, Bofill, Baldeweg, Arroyo, as directors of major international agencies such as Nouvel, Mayne, Rogers, Foster, Herzog and de Meuron. All seek to redesign the country: company headquarters, stadiums, museums, city halls, airports, etc. The main reason for this architectural boom: EU's providential financial aide, which accounted for close to 100 billion euros in 20 years ensued the support in 1986. Thanks to the stream of these well-managed European funds and to the decentralization policy carried on early, constructions were able to blossom rapidly across the country. These architects' field of action largely opened at the end of Franco's lead years. Cities and regions then started to order new buildings symbolizing a new era (for instance the LogroĂąo city hall). Gleefully, Spain was to benefit, a decade ago, of another major event, which was to give it a second life: the opening in 1997 of the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, with its tortuous shapes designed by Frank Gehry.
Since then, not a month has gone by without Spain making the headlines of specialized press and that the most world renowned architects inaugurated growingly peculiar buildings. Jean Nouvel signed a memorable 2005-2006 winter with, successively, the Agbar tower for the water company of Barcelona and, in Madrid, the Reina Sofia museum expansion and the Puerta America hotel exterior. Meanwhile Santiago Calatrava opted for Valencia, the great eastern façade city: he delivered a science museum, then an opera, always characterized by a very symmetrical and technical vision, which some deem gizmo-like or show-off-ish. In Tenerife, his auditorium opens up like a flower or a butterfly. Tenerife, Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona... the architectural fever reached the entire country and is not limited to major cities. How distant does strict and formal Spain feels! Calatrava, again, sets down a sort of aluminum flying carpet in the middle of a vineyard for the Ysios cellars. The boom even starts upon entering the country: at the new undulating shaped Barajas T4 airport, created by Spaniard Carlos Lamela and British Richard Rogers. And thinking that dozens of other buildings are still under construction. The Spanish firework is only beginning...
Captions. 1 - The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava in Valencia. 2 - The Puerta America Hotel and his facade by french architect Jean Nouvel in Madrid. 3 - The Barajas International Airport in Madrid, the Terminal 4 (T4) by architects Carlos Lamela and Richard Rogers 4 - The Mirador apartment in Madrid, build by Dutch architect agency MVRDV 5 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 6 - The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia 7 - The Reina Sophia Museum in Madrid and his triangular extension to the back of the first building by French architect Jean Nouvel 8 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 9 - the Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona. 10 - Spain, Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, the aquarium (main building 's roof and restaurant by Félix Candela)
build by Dutch architect agency MVRDV 11 - In Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, elevator
22 - Not far from Fuente de San Luis, toboggan nicknamed The Giant in Valencia
12 - The 7th floor of the Puerta America hotel by designer Ron Arad in Madrid
23 - The Bodega Ysios by architect Santiago Calatrava in Laguardia (Spanish Basque Country)
13 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 14 - Santa Caterina market by architect Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue in Barcelona 15 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 16 - Atocha-Mediod'a, the tropical garden of Atocha Station modernized by architect Rafael Moneo in Madrid 17 - The Congress Palace by architect Norman Foster in Valencia 18 - The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona 19 - The two Kio towers at Puerta de Europa distric by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee in Madrid 20 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 21 - The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Palau de les Arts, in Valencia
24 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 25 - The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona 26 - The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia 27 - The Reina Sophia Museum, library by French architect Jean Nouvel in Madrid 28 - The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona 29 - The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia 30 - The Cesar Manrique fundación, former house of the artist converted into museum, the salon in lava bubble in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) 31 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 32 - The Mirador apartment in Madrid,
33 - The Puerta America hotel, on the 1st floor, the hall by architect Zaha Hadid, in Madrid 34 - Bodega Otazu, underground moulded concrete wine cellars by architect Jaime Gaztelu which gave them the name Wine Temple in Otazu (Navarre) 35 - The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, the aquarium (main building 's roof and restaurant by Félix Candela), in Valencia 36 - The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona 37 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 38 - The Puerta America hotel, the 8th floor, hall by architect Kathryn Findlay, In Madrid 39 - The Mirador apartment in Madrid, build by Dutch architect agency MVRDV 40 - Bodega Otazu, underground moulded concrete wine cellars by architect Jaime Gaztelu which gave them the name Wine Temple in Otazu (Navarre) 41 - The Agbar Tower (Torre Agbar) by French architect Jean Nouvel, headquarters for the Barcelona Water Company in Barcelona 42 - The Mirador apartment in Madrid, build by Dutch architect agency MVRDV
43 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 44 - The Puerta America hotel, on the 1st floor, bedroom by architect Zaha Hadid, in Madrid 45 - The City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, Principe Felipe Sciences Museum, in Valencia 46 - The Reina Sophia Museum, library by French architect Jean Nouvel in Madrid 47 - The Cesar Manrique fundaci贸n, former house of the artist converted into museum, the salon in lava bubble in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) 48 - The Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife) by architect Santiago Calatrava in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife 49 - The Palau de los Arts, at the City of Arts and Sciences by architect Santiago Calatrava, in Valencia