Precedent Study

CaixaForum Madrid

Herzog and de Meuron intended to create an “underworld”.

Precedent study carried out by: Benjamin Giles, Bethany Long, Anna Longely, Max Rumble, Lucas Voss, Luo Zhang.

The CaixaForum serves the public as Madrid’s only museum of contemporary art, situated in the triangle of museums in Madrid’s cultural quarter with the Reina Sofia, El Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza. An old converted power station, formerly surrounded on all sides by residential buildings; the Forum has been extended vertically above and below ground in order to create what we understood as a metaphorical experience of travelling through different elements of nature whilst creating a strong sensory connection through the use of water, topography and vegetation.

Overall Idea

The CaixaForum serves the public as Madrid’s only museum of contemporary art, situated in the triangle of museums in Madrid’s cultural quarter with the Reina Sofia, El Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza. An old converted power station, formerly surrounded on all sides by residential buildings; the Forum has been extended vertically above and below ground in order to create what we understood as a metaphorical experience of travelling through different elements of nature whilst creating a strong sensory connection through the use of water, topography and vegetation.

Details

Location
Madrid, Spain

Architect
Herzog & de Meuron

Complete
2008

Building footprint
15,069sq.ft

Gross floor area
118,404sq.ft

In the neighbourhood

Around the CaixaForum the neighbourhood grid has been punctured to allow for public squares and plazas to emerge, these spaces of public realm encourage a greater connection with nature and the nearby green spaces. A new plaza was created to the South – Eastern boundary of the Forum which helps relate the cultural centre to the Paseo del Prado, the oldest historical street in Madrid. The location on the Forum anchors itself within the cultural and historical heart of the city.

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