The Arbor of Seville

In the global race to erect iconic structures that command attention and therefore tourists, the city of Seville, Spain, recently opened the Metropol Parasol, an inventive wooden canopy of six interconnected parasols, built using fire-treated wooden beams. The Berlin-based architect Jurgen Mayer H., who is 45, designed the open-air structure after winning an intenatiojnal competition with his stated intention to build a "cathedral without walls," which he proposed situatung amind the Plaza de la Encarnacion's preserved Roman ruins. An air-conditioned interior market bustling with frishmongers and meat and produce vendors is open for business, as are restaurants, concessions stands, shops and a podium for concerts and events. It's still too early to tell whether the Metopol Parasol's growing renown will help revitalize a struggling local economy, but is has succedded on on count: it is making headlines.
- Tony Gervino

YEARS UNDER CONSTRUCTION: 2005 to 2011

SIZE OF STRUCTURE: 492' long, 246' wide and 91' high

VOLUME OF WOOD USED: 123,601 cubic feet

NUMBER OF SEPARATE WOODEN PARTS: 3,400

SIZE OF GRID SQUARES: 25 sq feet

source:
The New York Times

Home

You might also like

The Marina Sand Bays

Singapore

Toothpick Architecture

Architecture

Entrance doorway