This year sees the return of a new edition of one of Madrid’s most eagerly anticipated autumn events, organised by the COAM Architecture Foundation and Madrid’s Official College of Architects (COAM), which aims to explore the fundamental link between urban spaces and buildings and the evolution of society. This year’s guest country is Switzerland, giving visitors the opportunity to discover its connections to and influence on the Spanish capital’s architecture. The event’s main exhibition—showing at COAM’s headquarters (No. 63 Calle de Hortaleza) until 10 December—celebrates the centenary of the birth of Antonio Lamela, an architect who played a key role in the modernisation of 20th-century Spain. Another major exhibition, this time in El Retiro Park, explores the work of Francisco Javier Carvajal Ferrer, also born 100 years ago.
As always, the highlight of the event will be its tours of buildings, many of which are usually closed to the public. Expert guides will reveal the hidden corners and secrets of buildings like the José Hierro Public Library (2nd), Vallehermoso Stadium (2nd), the Reina Sofía Museum (2nd), La Zarzuela Racecourse (3rd), Castellana 81 (5th), the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts (6th), Matadero Madrid (6th), the Residencia de Estudiantes cultural centre (6th), CaixaForum Madrid (9th and 10th), the María Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation (10th and 11th), the Cerralbo Museum (9th), La Casa de la Arquitectura (3rd, 8th, and 13th), the Nave de Motores de Pacífico power plant (5th–11th), and Ciudad BBVA (8th and 9th).
A series of routes around the city will also explore places as varied as Chueca’s centuries-old establishments (3rd), Madrid Río Park (3rd), the historic El Capricho gardens in Alameda de Osuna (4th, 6th, and 8th), the Malasaña neighbourhood (5th), Usera (10th), and Quinta de los Molinos Park (11th). Visitors can also explore neoclassical Madrid (11th), discover the mark Le Corbusier left on the city (2nd), or learn about its 19th-century industrial architecture (3rd).
On the 3rd and 4th, COAM’s headquarters will host the traditional Pop Arq Store, a market selling handcrafted pieces made by architects. There will also be a host of other activities, including some designed especially for children.
Check the full programme
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