Theatre of the Canal (Centre for Performing Arts of the Community of Madrid)

Navarro Baldeweg Asociados (1)
Navarro Baldeweg Asociados
Juan Navarro Baldeweg

There are many demands on this project. On the one hand, the intrinsic nature of his programme refers to the creation of a space of illusion, to a world of fantasy, that is, to the imaginary as the substance of the project. Secondly, the exceptional nature of the characteristic function of a building that appeals to this imaginary world and that is situated in a somewhat blurred and neglected urban area, which calls for a strong, formally rich response, with intrinsic vitality that makes the crossroads of Bravo Murillo and Cea Bermúdez streets shiny and lively. Thirdly, theatrical activity demands both integration and segregation. Citizen life must be attracted to it and at the same time there must be a separation, a discontinuity to defend the nucleus of the virtual that is alien, by nature, to the surrounding citizen reality.

View gallery

This last double and divergent demand translates into an integration and continuity of the street at the ground floor level and in the segregation by elevation of the rest of the programme at the top, placing the theatres and dance classrooms on the first floor of the foyers. The ground floors, with the large foyers, shop and café, are transparent and visible from the street, thus incorporating their activity into the city and inviting participation.

(2017). Juan Navarro Baldeweg. Ministerio de Fomento Secretaría General Técnica Centro de Publicaciones.
Paisajes Españoles

The nearby green areas of the Canal also leave their mark on the project, at street level, with grass surfaces that extend into the site up to the recessed perimeter, free of the glass that encloses the lobbies and the cafeteria, to incorporate the building into the nearby green areas.

Duccio Malagamba

On this ground floor, which is the threshold between the building and the street, a lively play of volumes is created that is perceived as a zigzagging display of forms in the air that promotes contrasting experiences of the concave and the convex, similar to that of flags moved by the wind. The ensemble is experienced in complementary perceptions: emptying or swelling and showing or hiding the interior from view from the street.

The skin that envelops these floating volumes is like paper, capturing the light and reflecting it with attenuated sheens. All this corresponds to a deliberate tectonic idea, intelligible as a "mask" suitable for the character of theatre or dance, and which translates into the protagonist value of pure appearance and the lively play of forms. The skin that unfolds in space consists of a glass surface that is partly opaque and partly translucent and transparent.

X BEAU

General information

Theatre of the Canal (Centre for Performing Arts of the Community of Madrid)

YEAR

2008

Status

Built

Option to visit

Visit by appointment

Address

St. Cea Bermúdez, 1

28003 Madrid - Madrid

Latitude: 40.438305618

Longitude: -3.704995262

Classification

Building materials

Steel

Aluminium

Glass

Built area

más de 20000 m²

Awards

ACUE 2009

X BEAU

Involved architects

Juan Navarro Baldeweg

Involved architectural firms

Navarro Baldeweg Asociados

Information provided by

Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA)

Website links

(2017). Juan Navarro Baldeweg. Ministerio de Fomento Secretaría General Técnica Centro de Publicaciones.

Arquitectura Viva

COAM (2000). Architecture, Magazine of the Official College of Architects of Madrid (nº 255).

arrow_forwardGo to the Encyclopedia
  • (2017). Juan Navarro Baldeweg. Ministerio de Fomento Secretaría General Técnica Centro de Publicaciones.
  • Navarro Baldeweg Asociados
  • (2017). Juan Navarro Baldeweg. Ministerio de Fomento Secretaría General Técnica Centro de Publicaciones.
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Location

40.438305618 -3.704995262 7f623fa4-5088-43cc-a919-d5948113f33a Built
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Unbuilt project

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