11 RELEVANT ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS IN MADRID

Madrid is one of the European capitals with the greatest variety of architectural projects and works. It has a complex urban structure that allows you to discover the history of the city from its origins to the present day. For any architect, Madrid is a great example of the coexistence of different architectural styles. It is also an example of innovation and experimentation in the field of architecture, that allows the city to be the 'laboratory' of modern and contemporary architecture in Spain.

Therefore, we introduce a list of some of the architectural works and projects that you must visit if you are interested in architecture, urban planning and construction in Madrid, the city where our postgraduate programme, Master's in Collective Housing or MCH, takes place.

Plaza Mayor de Madrid

The construction of Plaza Mayor was completed in 1619. However, it suffered several fires that made it necessary  to be rebuit three times. Its reconstruction was finally completed in 1854 and it is one of the most emblematic places in the capital. 

Where: Plaza Mayor, 28012 Madrid

Website: https://plazamayormadrid4c.es

Palacio de Cibeles

Palacio de Cibeles began as the main Post Office of the city and is currently the building that houses the Madrid City Council. It is also being used for cultural purposes. You can visit its exhibitions and walk along the building's interior. 

Where: Plaza de Cibeles, 1

Ticket office opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 13:45 / 15:00 - 19:30. Second Floor

Exposition Center hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 20:00 h

Viewpoint hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:30 - 14:00 h / 16:00 - 19:30 h

Website: 

https://www.esmadrid.com/informacion-turistica/palacio-de-cibeles?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Madrid Río

In the early 2000's, the Madrid Rio project (on the Manzanares River) was developed by creating tunnels for M-30 ring road traffic and improving the spaces to achieve an area for leisure and enjoyment of the Madrid citizens. The Madrid Rio project was mainly developed by Burgos & Garrido studio, directed by one of the professors of our master, Ginés Garrido. 

Where: Puente de Segovia, s/n 28005

Website: https://www.esmadrid.com/informacion-turistica/madrid-rio

Palacio Longoria, current SGAE

This palace built in 1902 hosts now the SGAE's headquarters (General Society of Authors and Publishers). The palace is one of the most important modernist buildings in Madrid and it was designed by the architect José Grases Riera .

Where: Calle de Fernando VI, 4

Website: http://www.sgae.es/es-ES/SitePages/corp-sedes-visitas.aspx

Palacio Real

Designed using the best Bernini's style, the Royal Palace took 15 years to be built, being 1755 the year of its completion. It currently holds important paintings by Velázquez, Caravaggio and Goya, and if was the official residence of the Royal Family. 

Where: Plaza de Oriente

Timetables:

Winter (October to March). Everyday: 10:00 - 18:00

Summer (April to September). Everyday: 10:00 - 20:00

Website: https://entradas.patrimonionacional.es/es-ES/informacion-recinto/6/palacio-real-de-madrid

Museo CaixaForum

CaixaForum Museum is located at the former headquarters of the Mediodía Power Station, and it was rehabilitated by Herzog & De Meuron mantaining the original facades and creating a vertical garden which makes it especially know. 

Where: Paseo del Prado, 36

Timetables: Everyday: 10:00 - 20:00

Website: https://caixaforum.es/es/madrid/home

Museo Cerralbo

The Cerralbo palace-museum is a clear example of the nineteenth-century buildings of Madrid, built between 1883 and 1893. A treasure that served the XII Marquis of Cerralbo as a house and museum it is really well preserved. 

Where: Calle de Ventura Rodríguez, 17

Timetables:

From Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 - 15:00.

On Thursday, Special opening from 17:00 to 20:00 (except public holidays)

Sunday and public holidays from 10:00 to 15:00

Website: http://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/mcerralbo/home.html

Plaza de Toros de las Ventas

A Neomudejar style construction, which presents a mixture of styles and influences. The Plaza de Toros de las Ventas also hosts concerts, so in addition to being an architectural inspiration, it has become a cultural space. 

Where: Calle de Alcalá, 237

Timetables: from 10  to 18:00, except sundays (10:00 - 15:00)

Website: https://www.las-ventas.com/ 

Fernando Higueras buried House

The house of the famous architect Fernando Higueras can be visited, with previous appointment, or during the Open House. It is a very original project, that deepens in Higuera´s personal world.

Where: Calle del Maestro Lassalle, 36

Website: http://fernandohigueras.org/

Torres Blancas

Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza's project won the 1974 European Excellence Award, and the architect himself lived in the building throughout his life. An experiment whose structure is based on cylinders surrounded by balconies with wooden lattices.

Where: Avenida de América, 37

Instituto del Patrimonio Histórico

Known as the "Spine´s Crown", this disruptive buiding designed by fernando Higueras Diaz  and Antonio Miró Valverde, presents a circular structure, which was a really important architectural challenge in the 60s. 

Where: Calle Pintor el Greco, 4

Timetables: 9:00 - 14:00

Website: https://ipce.culturaydeporte.gob.es/inicio.html

Master in Collective Housing UPM/ETH

The Master of Advanced Studies in Collective Housing is a professional and international postgraduate programme that is developed on a full-time basis, dealing with advanced architectural design in the city and housing. It is designed and taught jointly by the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH).

The next edition of the MCH will begin in January 2020. The admission period will remain open until 31.12.2019 or until the last available vacancies are filled. Start your admission process here!