RUIZ PICASSO 11 - Fenwick Iribarren Architects

Offices & Towers

THE RP11 BUILDING CONNECTS AZCA DIFFRENT LEVELS. AZCA IS A LARGE BUSINESS DISTRICT LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF MADRID, BUT WITH SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL CONNECTIVITY ISSUES.

Client MERLIN PROPERTIES
Location MADRID SPAIN
Size 48.700M₂
Status FINISHED

The urban needs of this area have been an ongoing issue in Madrid since the rapid decline of the original project from the late 1960s. Over the decades, this area has faced various problems, with material degradation and the challenges of accommodating diverse uses being the most prominent. RP11 offers an architectural solution of immense spatial richness to an existing urban problem. By intervening in the surrounding spaces, unsafe and unhealthy areas are eliminated, improving connectivity and security while bringing the green spaces of the central area closer to the Orense residents by removing obsolete intermediate structures.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The RP11 building features the first passive breathing façade constructed in Spain. This forms the envelope of the building’s lower module. The upper module is completed with a high-performance double-skin façade. The façades and the structural reconstruction of the building result in a robust structure with two main blocks of clear geometry, avoiding the modernist mannerisms of the original building and achieving a modern, transparent, and technological appearance, fitting for a high-quality office building.

The setback of the upper block creates two large private terraces, while the roof accommodates two additional terraces for the building’s use. These terraces provide private green spaces for the building’s users.

THE BUILDING FAÇADES ARE DESIGNED WITH A FOCUS ON HIGH PERFORMANCE AND TRANSPARENCY. IT IS THE FIRST MODULAR PASSIVE BREATHING FAÇADE CONSTRUCTED IN SPAIN.

THE LEIVMOTIV OF THE PROJECT IS THE CREATION OF AN URBAN LANDMARK THAT ENHANCES THE CITY IN ITS INTERMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS AND PROVIDES GREAT SPACIAL RICHNESS

The origin of the project is the connection at the urban level of the two public squares that meet the building from its north and south facades and which are at different levels.
This connection is achieved through the creation of an interior urban street that runs through the building on its north-south axis through the three different levels. This street becomes a spatial experience as it runs through the different spatial areas that organize the project.
The entrance hall is located on the middle floor and is located under the large central atrium of the building, which is reached through a double height.
The building is small next to the Picasso tower, but it is a false impression that we take advantage of by achieving a coup de effect with the perception of the full height of the atrium from its interior since from the floor of the Azca gardens the atrium rises until reaching the eight floors of the building.

THE STREET BECOMES A SPACIAL EXPERIENCE AS IT COURSES DIFFERENT SPATIAL ROOMS THAT ORGANIZE THE PROJECT.

In the atrium centre the new vertical communication core is located which gives access to the office floors. Continuing the route in a southerly direction towards Pablo Ruiz Picasso Square,we can pass under the communications core and reache the central atrium again, which once again gives way to another double height at the south entrance of the building.

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