Project: Metropol Parasol Redevelopment of Plaza de la Encarnacion, Seville, Spain Function: archeological site, farmers market, elevated plaza, multiple bars and restaurants Site area: 18,000 square meters Building area: 5,000 square meters Total floor Area: 12,670 square meters Number of floors: 4 Height of the building: 28.50 meters Structure: concrete, timber and steel Principal Exterior: timber and granite Principal interior material: concrete, granite and steel Designing period: 2004-2005 Construction period: 2005-2011 Building cost: 90 Million Euro
What is there not to like about Metropol Parasol? The waffle-like crown structure in Seville, Spain has been finally completed in April 2011 after a competition held by the city of Seville in 2004. Located at Plaza de la Encarnacion, the stunning sequence of undulating parasols comprises the world's largest wooden structure. The Metropol Parasol project was part of the redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnacíon, designed by J. MAYER H. This project becomes the new icon for Seville, a place of identification and to articulate Seville's role as one of the world´s most fascinating cultural destinations.
The Metropol Parasol scheme with its imposing structure offers a range of attractions and amenities to be used by the public. Such functions include an archaeological museum, a farmers market, an elevated plaza, and multiple bars and restaurants underneath and inside the parasols, as well as a panorama terrace on the upper level of the parasols. Realized as one of the largest and most innovative bonded timber-constructions with a polyurethane coating, the parasols grow out of the archaeological excavation site into a contemporary landmark, thus defining a distinctive relationship between the historical medieval city and the contemporary city beat! Metropol Parasols mix-used multicultural program sets off a dynamic development for culture and commerce in the heart of Seville and beyond.
The design scheme and the idea of Metropol Parasol was to offer shade, a valuable ‘service’ in a city as sunny and hot as Seville, and so make the square, which used to operate as a parking lot more livable. Respecting the presence of the Roman ruins, the architectural planning was dealt in such a way as to leave the ruins undisturbed. Columns supporting the crown could only be positioned in a few places, involving ambitious structure – designed with the help of the engineers Arup – to span the gaps between them. From these conditions came the mushroom stem-like torsos, a sufficient amount to include lifts and stairs, and a structural system using timber and steel, held together with high-performance polyurethane resin, tested to ensure it would endure even the highest temperatures in this spot. Among the project's pride is that it is the world's largest construction to be held together by polyurethane.
In the last two images you can see the projects, and the whole construction concepts of this magnificent building.
I am really excited and amazed about this building. It seems unreal to me to build such a huge, resistant object of art!
Project: Metropol Parasol Redevelopment of Plaza de la Encarnacion, Seville, Spain Function: archeological site, farmers market, elevated plaza, multiple bars and restaurants Site area: 18,000 square meters Building area: 5,000 square meters Total floor Area: 12,670 square meters Number of floors: 4 Height of the building: 28.50 meters Structure: concrete, timber and steel Principal Exterior: timber and granite Principal interior material: concrete, granite and steel Designing period: 2004-2005 Construction period: 2005-2011 Building cost: 90 Million Euro
What is there not to like about Metropol Parasol? The waffle-like crown structure in Seville, Spain has been finally completed in April 2011 after a competition held by the city of Seville in 2004. Located at Plaza de la Encarnacion, the stunning sequence of undulating parasols comprises the world's largest wooden structure. The Metropol Parasol project was part of the redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnacíon, designed by J. MAYER H. This project becomes the new icon for Seville, a place of identification and to articulate Seville's role as one of the world´s most fascinating cultural destinations.
The Metropol Parasol scheme with its imposing structure offers a range of attractions and amenities to be used by the public. Such functions include an archaeological museum, a farmers market, an elevated plaza, and multiple bars and restaurants underneath and inside the parasols, as well as a panorama terrace on the upper level of the parasols. Realized as one of the largest and most innovative bonded timber-constructions with a polyurethane coating, the parasols grow out of the archaeological excavation site into a contemporary landmark, thus defining a distinctive relationship between the historical medieval city and the contemporary city beat! Metropol Parasols mix-used multicultural program sets off a dynamic development for culture and commerce in the heart of Seville and beyond.
The design scheme and the idea of Metropol Parasol was to offer shade, a valuable ‘service’ in a city as sunny and hot as Seville, and so make the square, which used to operate as a parking lot more livable. Respecting the presence of the Roman ruins, the architectural planning was dealt in such a way as to leave the ruins undisturbed. Columns supporting the crown could only be positioned in a few places, involving ambitious structure – designed with the help of the engineers Arup – to span the gaps between them. From these conditions came the mushroom stem-like torsos, a sufficient amount to include lifts and stairs, and a structural system using timber and steel, held together with high-performance polyurethane resin, tested to ensure it would endure even the highest temperatures in this spot. Among the project's pride is that it is the world's largest construction to be held together by polyurethane.
In the last two images you can see the projects, and the whole construction concepts of this magnificent building.
I am really excited and amazed about this building. It seems unreal to me to build such a huge, resistant object of art!