Foster + Partners has shared new updates and images about the refurbishment of a historic building to turn into an office complex in Madrid, Spain.

Designed for a Spanish sustainable infrastructure and energy company Acciona, construction is in full swing at site. 

Foster + Partners' project revitalizes an abandoned old industrial building built in 1905 to convert it into a sustainable office building, breathing new life into the surrounding area. 

Covering a total of 10,000 square-metres of new office space, the project will unify a unique mix of private and public land with green landscaping that extends all the way to the adjoining Méndez Álvaro metro station.

"This project offers the rare opportunity to give this magnificent building a new lease of life," said Nigel Dancey, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners.

"It is a great example of the Luis de Landecho’s early twentieth century work, and our design aims to retain its original spirit, while creating a workplace that is flexible and adaptable to new and emerging ways of working." 

"Together with Acciona, we have developed a design that is underpinned by our shared vision of sustainability and demonstrates our commitment towards the environment," Dancey added.

The building was originally built as a natural gas plant that supplied energy to the surrounding areas, but the building had fallen into disuse until Acciona acquired it in 2017. 

The new design scheme will conserve over 10,000 tonnes of brick, rehabilitating the building envelope and the soaring interior volume. In design, Foster + Partners introduced a series of stepped floors creating terraces sheltered under the historic roof. 

The building is made from timber sustainably sourced from local forests, thanks to its lightweight structure, the building allows for spatial flexibility, while also integrating lighting, ventilation and other services within. 

"The timber structure will save more than 1,000 tonnes of CO2 and is recyclable and demountable. A central skylight brings natural light to the interior, reducing the need for energy consuming artificial light while also incorporating silicon plates that generate electricity," said Foster + Partners.  

"The choice of natural and recycled materials such as timber is not only sustainable but also contributes to a biophilic environment." "Recent studies have shown that the use of natural materials in working environments improves wellbeing and productivity," the firm added.

Located inside Madrid’s Calle 30 (orbital motorway), the building provides a direct access to public transport. Taking advantage of Madrid’s temperate climate, people will comfortably be outdoors for nine months of the year, the project includes a new courtyard within which is a new ground floor space with a garden roof.  

The plans also include a large 10,000 square-metre park with 300 trees with outdoor working spaces and areas for informal meetings sheltered by a green canopy of trees. 

As Foster + Partners explains, "local species have been carefully selected to reduce water consumption, which will come from recycled sources."

Foster + Partners is currently working on several developments in Saudi Arabia, including the Red Sea International Airport, Southern Dunes Hotel, a ring-shaped hotel, Coral Bloom resort on Shurayrah island.

All images courtesy of Foster + Partners.

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