DESA1002 'Continuous City' STEVEN BARRY

Abstract

On the 11th of March 2004, 141 individuals lost their lives in the Madrid Train bombings. This building is based upon creating a lasting memorial for those individuals. As can be seen there exist two distinct spaces, one emerging from the ground and the other gracefully perched on the vertical cantilever. The lower floors are the public memorial spaces while the other serves a counter terrorism/intelligence gathering department. The merging of these two programs may seem unusual but serve as a reminder to the community that an organisation exists striving to ensure history will not repeat. There exist separate entry sequences for each function with the memorial access on the pedestrian walkway toward the Plaza Major and the later entering from a concealed back entrance at the rear of the building. The facade treatment of the upper floors was a key issue as it required softening as too not intimidate the public looking up from below. Although security remains an issue the individuals on the upper floors have control over the moving concertina metal blind system that may be retracted when crucial material is not being viewed giving a the impression of transparency to the organisation. Within the memorial there are two rather distinct spaces, one a much narrower tall, dark space focused on remembrance while the other is a lower, light filled area focused on the phrase, “If you see something, say something” campaign. On the ground floor the daunting upper structure has been counteracted with an opaque glass façade. However on the inside of the glass a metal curtain not unlike the one enclosing the counter terrorism operation above sits in purposeful recognition that although all are welcome the curtain, the screen still exists to remove the wrong people from circulation. Metaphors and the conversation between spaces has been a key aspect of this project achieved primarily through meaningful façade treatment.