Location:
Madrid, Spain
A Historic Events Venue Shaped to Preserve Water
Designing around water preservation became a way to reveal the identity of this estate while creating a sequence of sensory moments that made the journey to the event as memorable as the event itself.
This historic estate sits in the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park, a landscape shaped by streams and springs that support some of the most important biodiversity and wildlife in central Spain.
So when I received this commission, I immediately felt the intervention should highlight the importance of water to sustain a unique ecosystem where deer, foxes and wild boar live alongside a rich birdlife.
Designing around water preservation became a way to reveal the identity of this estate while creating a sequence of sensory moments that guide visitors through the landscape till they arrive to their events venue.
01/ Winding channels collect the rainwater from the roofs and lead it to a big circular pond. The planting pallette rich in aromatics complement the sensory experience
02/ "The Pond of the Rain" , a ircular Pond that receives rainwater and completes the secuence of water features and heritage fountains
03/ A new plaza with seasonal planting elevates the experience of the access to the main events venue
The intention was to make the journey to the event as memorable as the event itself.
As a destination for celebrations and gatherings, the outdoor areas, including the parking space played an important role in shaping the experience of arrival.
The parking lot, originally a vast grey surface, was completely redesigned to optimize its functionality, but also to infiltrate rainwater, provide shade and represent the species of the Regional Park. New welcoming squares and a new geometry of hedges and seasonal planting create a sequence of sensory moments that guide guests to the venue.
(Below, plan drawing showing the new parking lot and the three new welcoming plazas)
See more projects
Let’s talk about your project
Water-Adaptive Landscape Architecture Studio for Heritage, Hospitality and Holistic Architecture and City Planning. Based in Oslo and Madrid, working internationally