Metropol Parasol Urban Centre

City:            Seville
Location:     La Encarnación square, in the old quarter of  Seville
Country:      Spain
Architect:    Jurgen Mayer H. Architects,
Material:     Wooden structure

It is one of the most pronounced and impressive examples of biomimicry in architecture.

The metropol parasol scheme, with its impressive timber structures, includes an archaeological museum, a farmer's market, an elevated plaza, multiple bars and restaurants underneath and inside the parasols, as well as panorama terrace on the top of the parasol.

Metropol’s interlocking honeycomb of wooden panels rise from concrete bases, which are positioned to form canopies and walkways below the parasols. 

 

Its role as a uniqie urban space within the dense fabric of the medieval inner city of Seville allows for a great variety of activities such as contemplation , leisure and commerce. A highly developed infrastructure helps to activate the square, making it an attractive destination for tourists and locals alike.

The project had difficulties, May 2007 engineering firm Arup informed the municipal authorities that the structure was technically infeasible as designed, given that a number of structural assumptions had not been tested and appeared to violate the limitations of known materials. Much time was spent developing a feasible alternative plans to buttress the structure, which themselves proved impractical because of the added weight. A feasible design using glue as reinforcement was finally settled on only at the beginning of 2009.