SHORT NOTES ON MADRID
We are in Madrid, the capital of Spain, a city that values people, where the connection between its inhabitants and nature remains unbroken, and where history, modern architecture, contemporary urbanism, and greenery converge. Our time in the city is short and precious, and as always, there is much to do. Therefore, we set out on this short trip determined to make the most of our time, and we have selected two places for you to visit.
The first is Caixa Forum Madrid, designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Opened in 2008 on Paseo Del Prado, this modern architectural example, which at first glance reveals a beautiful combination of green and red, is one of the city’s symbolic modern art centers. It is a center that is not only on the list of art lovers but also on the list of visitors to the city. The entrance area, created by detaching the heavy architectural mass from the ground and adding it to the existing old facade, is quite impressive. When you enter this entrance area, which gives the impression of being disconnected from the ground, you are drawn to the main entrance of the building. The stacked brick surface on the exterior facade, which we call the old facade, bears traces of Madrid’s early industrial period. While an old power plant building was located on the existing site, the facade was suspended, the background was cleared, and the new mass was treated as a whole. During the separation of the facade from the existing structure and its blending with the new mass, the mass was detached from the ground, creating a large, open-sided yet covered foyer area for visitors, connected to water and greenery. This depth at the entrance actually divides the building into two main parts. The area below ground level carries the traces of the topography in its architectural identity, as well as in its materials and all surfaces. The section above ground level, on the other hand, is created with clear and contemporary materials, where we see different geometric experiments
This building, an important symbol of the transformation work carried out by Alvaro Siza and Juan Miguel Hernandez de Leon on the Recoletos-Prada axis, features well-executed examples and various details of sheet metal, stainless steel, and concrete work, used in their original, unaltered state. Particularly noteworthy are the building’s sheet metal facade, the main staircase at the building entrance, and the areas within the building featuring raw concrete staircases made of white cement.
After discussing technical architectural aspects, we cannot conclude without mentioning a dining establishment. As our second venue, we will briefly discuss Amazonica, a restaurant that is an absolute must-visit during your trip to Madrid. One of four restaurants acquired by the Doğuş Group in late 2016, this venue is highly successful not only for its extensive menu but also for its interior design. It is perhaps one of the best examples of biophilic design, a design approach that has gained popularity in recent years, being implemented in a dining establishment. The first thing that catches your eye at Amazonica, which is both a restaurant and a jazz club in the basement after dinner, is the abundant greenery, which is used in perfect harmony with many natural materials. Although the Rain Forest Cafe, which opened in Istanbul in 2004 but closed a few years later, may come to mind with its green atmosphere, the design language is completely different. The Argentine-style meat kitchen surrounding the centrally located cocktail bar is the first section that catches your eye. It’s almost like a grill laboratory where you can watch the entire preparation of the meat. In addition, the venue offers successful examples of Brazilian and Asian cuisine. The presentation, friendly service, flavor, and service earned full marks from us.
Without further ado, let’s add a few more places to our list as a bonus: Reina Sofia, another modern art museum and iconic building in the city, is a must-visit. Madrid’s famous rose garden is a dreamlike place that you shouldn’t miss. It will be a feast for your eyes and your nose with its beautiful scents. And finally, “Ten Con Ten” is another highly successful restaurant and club with a different concept, owned by the same operator as Amazonica. While you’re at Ten Con Ten, don’t miss the beverage shop directly across from the venue—you’ll understand what we mean when you get there.
In short, Madrid is an ideal European city to live and work in. We would like to extend our special thanks to the entire Unigen family for inviting us on this short trip, carefully selecting each place we visited, and for their warm hospitality.
