Redesign of the Plaza de la Encarnacion in Seville
Location: Seville, Spain Client: Ayuntamiento de Sevilla and SACYR Competition: 1st Prize — open, international competition. CMC involved from 2nd phase (10 participants). Year: Competition 2004, Completion 2011 Service Phases: Preparation / Brief, Concept Design (HOAI 1–2) Area: ca. 15.000 m² Construction costs: approx. 3.2 Mio. € Architecture: Jürgen Mayer H. Architekten Awards: Global Holcim Award for Sustainable Development: Bronze (2005), Wallpaper Design Award: Nominated (2007), Red Dot Design Award: Best of the Best (2012), DAM Preis für Architektur: Award as one of the 22 best buildings in /from Germany (2012/13), Mies van der Rohe Award: Nominated/Finalist (2013), Urban Intervention Award: Nominated, category “Built” (2013), Civic Trust Award (2014)
The square area itself is deliberately developed as a ground for the umbrellas. The elements shaping the ground are a modern interpretation of the elements of Islamic gardens that are characteristic of this region. Forming the space, orange trees are set in a dissolved grid in reference to the fruit and olive gardens surrounding Seville.
The decorative, geometric flooring is made of typical local brick in iridescent beige tones. The element of water comes into its own in the form of basins, cascades and gutters with its multiple functions to improve the urban climate, as a decorative as well as playful moment.
Not yet (!) realised, simple, economical concept derived from local, historical models for natural cooling through evaporation in competition