International contest - Cebada Community Centre

About the project 

The Hybrid Cloud seeks to integrate a new concept of civic and activity center through the creation of a programmatic cloud that interprets and complements the pre-existing skyline of the capital. The project therefore avoids the implementation of a new program through the creation of an invasive geometry but rather seeks to dialogue through an adaptive piece that aims to connect the new set of programs to the city, from the visual perception to the local activity.

With the idea of connecting to the city, we elevate the project over the ground level, creating an attractive space that invites the user to enter and explore it. Through this strategy we recover the so long damaged Cebada Square, seeking to bring back the idea of a space of exchange that it was on the past. The new public space work in a system of two squares, one open and one covered, activated through a series of neighbors driven activities that create a perfect social connection among the users, the building and the city.

With such a strong and hybrid program, the project acquires coherence thanks to the creation of a series of networks of ribbons moving both on the inside as well as in the perimeter. These ribbons do not only conform the facade of the building, but they also set the circulations, creating a series of elevated street that connect the different programs, seeking to create new interactions among the different programs in different heights.

Furthermore the ribbons also work as main elements of the sustainability strategy for the building, with active solutions such as solar panels implemented directly in it, and passive ones such as vertical vegetation that grows through a metallic mesh of variable density that will help us to control the solar incidence on the building

Understanding the current economic situation that the country and the sector lives, we also propose an economic strategy for the feasibility of the project. This is achieved through the implementation of a series of housing towers, targeted to young users and students. Through this strategy we propose to reactivate and foster the activity in the area, implementing a solution in height that interprets the current density of the area, seeking for a stronger spatial and energetic efficiency for the Cebada Square.

With this cloud concept our proposal does not seek to become a new icon for the city, neither another concrete square for the "Zona Centro". We seek to create a new architectural frame that empowers the quality and the livability of the neighborhood. "The Hybrid Cloud" aims to be an architectural catalyst of initiatives, engagements and encounters among its users for the center of Madrid

 About the Contest

The Cebada Community Center contest is organized by The Archie, a website specialized in international architecture contests for students.

The Archie invites the students to reflect about this space of Cebada Square in the Center of Madrid, inviting the teams to take advantage of the neighbourhoods’ high potential for social interaction, designing a centre for generational cohesion, one that can offer something to do

The point is to investigate what solutions are useful for the area, and which might reactivate it, taking advantage of its potential. We encourage all groups to work around these concepts, taking into consideration the real necessities of the space.

About the Jury

The jury was composed by a series of professional architect with wide international and national recognition such as:

• Carlos Rubio - Founder of Rubio Alvarez Sala Architects, has developed projects such as Madrid Rio park or the Torre Sacyr.
• Jorge Beroiz -Creative Director of RTKL
• Gracia Cid -Architect and urban planner from Fundación Metrópoli, and lecturer of Urban Planning at San Pablo CEU university
• Andrés Perea -Architect and professor ‘Ad Honorem’ from the School of Architecture of Madrid

 About The Archie

Archie is a young startup, founded by young architects looking to promote excellence in architecture, by helping students get in contact with professionals.

The way this is achieved by is through a web community where young architects and students take part in competitions, judged by experts, hopefully sparking the architectonic debate.