Contemporary Architecture in Spain

CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN SPAIN

CULTURAL VENUES

CAIXAFORUM, MADRID This original exhibition centre designed by the Swiss architects Herzog & De Meuron stands in the Paseo del Prado, next to Madrid's famous Art Walk. On the outside, the extraordinary vertical garden designed by the artist Patrick Blanc is sure to attract your at tention. At its foot, the new building seems to levitate creating a large, par tially covered square, decorated with waterfalls and enormous sculptures The project preserves the red-brick façades of an old industrial building and is crowned by a corroded metallic structure. The interior is accessed via

an unusual metallic polygonal staircase leading up to a spacious lobby with ac cess to the different spaces. The other floors and exhibition halls are arranged around another beautiful circular staircase which reminds you of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. TEATROS DEL CANAL, MADRID When you visit Madrid, you really should take in one of the theatre shows being played and while you're at it, dis cover first-hand this great centre dedi cated to the performing arts .

Photo: Juan Jimenez Fernandez/123rf.com

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