June 5, 2009
Architect: Mansilla and Tunon
Date: 2003
Locationi: Madrid, Spain
The Biblioteca Regional and Archive is a conversion of an old brewery. The building is split in two separate parts, the Library and the Archive. The Library is held within the old building and has turned the old silos into storage space.
Library with old Silos
June 5, 2009
We started the day by going to see another archive building. The Biblioteca Regional and Archive is a new complex that expands on the old Aguila Brewery. We then proceeded south out of the center of the city. We arrived at a lower-end part of the city where there has been some new development including the Biblioteca Publica Jose Hierro. From the library we went to see some of the new housing projects. This is one area where the difference between America and Spain is easily apparent.
Spanish Housing Projects
June 4, 2009
In what is easily the best day of the trip we made our way to Toledo. Again we started our day in Atoch Station but instead of getting on a regular train we got on to a high speed train. I have for a long time liked the idea of a high speed train network and this was the first time I have been on a high speed train. The high speed train was very nice and found the ride smooth. We made it to Toledo in a half-hour versus the hour it takes to drive it in a car.
Upon arrival in Toledo we started the walk to the old city which sits up on a hill above the surrounding area.
Toledo from below
June 3, 2009
In the morning we met at Atocha Station to take a train out to El Escorial. Atocha Station was expanded recently to meat the new demands of the high speed trains. This addition by Rafael Moneo holds the new train sheds while the original train shed was turned into a greenhouse.
Atocha Station Dome
Atocha Station Original Shed
June 2, 2009
Architect: Rafael de la Hoz
Date: 2004-2008
Location: Madrid, Spain
The new headquarters for Telefonica are built on the outskirts of Madrid. Instead of creating a single large building the new headquarters are a complex that consists of office space as well as restaurants, grocery stores, and a gymnasium.
Telefonica Headquarters
June 2, 2009
Architect: Javier Saenz de Oiza
Date: 1979-1981
Location: Madrid, Spain
Torre BBVA is part of the group of buildings built in the 1970s. The entire building is supported on a central core with the floors cantilevering out. Although the building was built before the green movement this building employs the use of sun shades to help keep it cool which give the building its unique look.
Torre BBVA
June 2, 2009
In the morning we visited the Museo del Prado. There was some really nice work inside the museum but one of the most interesting was the Las Meninas. This painting was to be of the King and Queen but instead they are represented in the mirror in the far back causing the viewer to be placed as the King and Queen.
Las Meninas (not my photo)
June 1, 2009
Architect: Jean Nouvel
Date: 2005
Location: Madrid, Spain
We approached the Reina Sofia from the plaza on the opposite side of the new addition. From this side the only visible signs of the addition is a pair of elevator towers.
Reina Sofia Old Section
June 1, 2009
Architect: Herzog & De Muron
Date: 2008
Location: Madrid, Spain
In Spain it is common for banks to create free cultural institutions and the Caixa Forum is one of the prominent examples. The bank la Caixa commissioned Herzog & de Meuron to design this building. The building is built within and on top of the hollowed out existing industrial building.
Caixa Forum
June 1, 2009
We started class at the Circulo de Bellas Artes, located across from the Metropolis Building, where we learned that Cafe Americano is coffee with water added. From this point we started to walk down Calle de Alcala to Paseo del Prado which is the major cultural axis in the city of Madrid.
Metropolis Building
May 27-29, 2009
First thing that happens in a foreign country is you go through customs where you get a stamp and in Dublin they write down what you are there for. The agent wrote down that I was there For the Purpose of: “Visit.” I don’t know why but I thought it was a really interesting phrasing. We found out the room was not ready yet so we dropped our bags off and wandered around Dublin finding food and seeing the sights. We went through the shopping district and ended up at the Christ Church Cathedral (photos).
Christ Church Cathedral
In just over an hour I will be leaving the hostel to start the first day of class in Spain!
Architect: Frank Gehry
Date: 1991 – 1997
Address: Avenida Abandoibarra, 2 Bilbao 48001, Spain
How to get there: Tram (Guggenheim), Metro (Moyúa), Bus (1, 10, 13, 18, 27, 38, 48, 71)
Name: Infanta Elena Library
Architect: Cruz y Ortiz
Date: 1995 – 1999
Address: Avenida de Maria Luisa, 8, Sevilla, 41013
How to get there: Access lines 6, 34, 41, C1, C2
Observations: Require you to leave backpacks/purses at entrance counter.
I was not finding much info on this building so I emailed the architects (Cruz y Ortiz) to see if I could get info about the building and well they sent back a whole set of drawings as well as info about the building. Here is what I got: