CaixaForum Madrid

The optic effect of this building really makes one think that it is floating. In spite of its solid form, one thinks that invisible threads hold in the air the CaixaForum in Madrid. I simply loved this place. I walked around its exterior many times observing the architectural work and design and trying to figure out from where it’s held.

It is an interesting way of recovering and reusing another building (an old electric station) and of bettering and taking advantage of useless spaces. The building is already impressive from outside, but the real treat is the vertical garden inside. At the end, one doesn’t know if one came to enjoy an exhibit or just the building. In my case it was a combination of both.

The CaixaForum Madrid is a new social and cultural center of the benevolent work "La Caixa" bank, in the so-called art triangle in Madrid: in Paseo del Prado, next to the Reina Sofía Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Prado.

The building has seven floors and can be considered a work of art in itself. It is located in what used to be the Electrical Center of Mediodía and was built by the Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron with a 60 million Euro budget. It was designed to house modern and contemporary art exhibitions, music festivals, poetry readings, multimedia art, debates, educative workshops, etc., all free of charge for the public.

I was coming from El Retiro park, which is close, when I passed by. I must say it had been inaugurated quite recently and it had been a while since I had been in the area. And, yes, I liked it a lot. I loved it. The vertical plant wall looks lovely in contrast with the red color of the facade.

I did not have time to go inside, but I really wanted to, not only to see the building from the inside, but also because La Caixa organizes many events and activities of all types and for all types of public. I recommend you go there and take time to attend one of the various events at this cultural