Open House Madrid: lifting the lid on the capital region’s most intriguing architectural secrets
Architecture enthusiasts will have ringed the date in red — for what better way to end September than with Open House Madrid? This global festival is a chance to poke our noses into buildings and architecture studios, that would otherwise remain off-limits. Each year, thousands of visitors take up the invitation to explore some extraordinary spaces, fabled for their history, design or both. Organisers of the tenth edition were handed the keys to more than 140 properties across the capital and the Region of Madrid. The Singular Space took some time out to visit two in particular: the Metrópoli Foundation’s state-of-the-art bioclimatic HQ (Alcobendas) and classical showstopper Palacio Parque Florido (Madrid).
Ecobox – Metrópoli Foundation
The Ecobox building, home to the Metrópoli Foundation, is a masterclass in sustainable design. Twenty years ago, its architects envisaged a space that would inspire innovation and creativity, governed by the principles of bioclimatic design. Its distinctive shell is formed of concrete, timber and stone and behaves much like the skin of a living organism, thanks to a waterborne climate system and a gravel base extending five metres below ground.
But what really defines this space is the incredible sense of serenity that pervades the interior. The building has no air conditioning or central heating, yet maintains a comfortable indoor temperature of 24°C in all seasons. It runs entirely on solar energy produced by photovoltaic panels on the facade and roof terrace. In summer, this energy is captured by a thermal system that circulates cool air through the walls.
Ecobox is a perfect fit for the mission and values of the Metrópoli Foundation, whose raison d’être is to reimagine cities and regions and expedite economic development, competitiveness, sustainability and a higher quality of life. The organisation is committed to seeking out smart, creative ideas and solutions to help build a sustainable future for people, cities and the planet.
Lázaro Galdiano Museum
Palacio Parque Florido, now the Lázaro Galdiano Museum, was once the marital home of José Lázaro Galdiano and Paula Florido, who between them amassed an astonishing collection of artworks and antiquities. In its heyday in the early 20th century, their palatial residence was a fashionable haunt of intellectuals and the capital’s beau monde.
Completed in 1909, it was considered one of the most opulent mansions of the age, on account of both its architectural refinement and the priceless treasures within its walls. Its eclectic interiors offer a mix of historical references and the couple’s own personal tastes, with sumptuous parquet floors shipped in from Baden-Baden, neo-Plateresque detailing and some striking examples of fine French plasterwork. Today, it is one of the finest and best-preserved examples of turn-of-the-century bourgeois architecture in Madrid.
Unmissable highlights include the painted ceilings by Eugenio Lucas Villami that adorn several rooms, stunning marquetry flooring sweeping through much of the building and the breathtaking ballroom, adorned with Renaissance motifs and overlooked by a gallery where observers may once have beheld the great and good in all their evening finery.
The museum holds a collection of 4,820 pieces, displayed over the building’s four floors. Among them are works by Goya, El Greco, Zurbarán and Bosch, mingling with bronzes, ceramics, textiles, medals, furniture and priceless antique weaponry.
