This stunning design for a new community structure in centre of old Seville in Spain is well underway. The Metropol Parasol is, as the name implies, a series of large parasols designed to keep the sun off those that will inhabit and visit what will be a mix of commercial activity and cultural/tourism activities.
Personally, I think they look more like giant mushrooms spouting from the earth but maybe the ‘Metropol Mushrooms’ wasn’t trendy enough in the name department.
Check out some very cool shots and some video after the jump.
The project was awarded to J Mayer H, a Berlin-based firm, and its organic form with sweeping curves gives the whole structure a somewhat fantastical, magical appeal. Seville’s traditional architectural heritage and character is mirrored in the design with the church-like vaulting, sprawling tree shapes, Moorish ornament and Andalusian grilles. Even better, it will use an awful lot of wood in its construction.
It is based in the Plaza de la Encarnacion which used to host a large covered market from 1842 until 1973. That’s when some bright spark in planning decided a car park would better.
Roll on the parasols (mushrooms).
Tags: architecture, building, design
[...] over a year ago we covered the ongoing construction of the stunning Metropol Parasol in Seville, [...]