Madrid - Official College of Architects of Madrid, Spain
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Institute of Architects, Madrid - Gonzalo Moure | Arquitectura Viva
Institute of Architects, Madrid. MHM (Metropolitan Housing: Madrid). Franco, from Ropes to Tiles at the Slaughterhouse. Berro House in Madrid. Mansilla and Tuñón, Museum of Royal Collections. Vázquez Consuegra, Palace of San Telmo. Encuentros creativos. Casino de la Reina Park, Madrid. Institute of Architects, Gijón.
MADRID City Council, Madrid Institute of Architects (Colegio de Arquitectos de Madrid) held an international competition for the building of its new headquarters in 2005. A large block of urban land on Hortaleza Street was chosen. It belonged to the former Escuelas de San Anton building, which is now in disuse. This 18th-century building also contained the Baroque-style San Anton church, built by Pedro de Ribera. Restoration was also needed for the church. The competition's objective was to provide a new venue for the COAM (the one at Barquillo Street was insufficient during the real-estate boom years), and to also add municipal facilities to an area in the city center that was missing certain services. The brief called for a school of music, a kindergarten, an elderly center, and a municipal swimmingpool.
Following the demolition of structures that were slowly filling up the site, the restoration of the chapel and classical facade was completed and new volumes were constructed.
The new headquarters brings together the COAM Foundation and the Institute of Architects. It also includes a library and exhibition spaces. This garden is a peaceful place in the center of the city. The work areas of this new building flow onto the space through permeable facades made of extraclear glass. The new COAM building's program is structured so that the cultural areas with a more public nature are located on the lower floors. They are easily accessible and open to view from the garden. Office areas are on top floors. The most private wing of the building is occupied by the school of music. It wraps around the space at the sacristy's double height. Rest of the municipal facilities are contained in a volume which is finished off by the swimming pool on the top floor. These pools were designed as lookouts that offer vantage views.