The Alhondiga PROJECT

One of Bilbao’s architectural icons is emerging againin the heart of town. It is Alhóndiga (1909), the oldwine warehouse designed by Ricardo Bastida, whichhas morphed into AlhóndigaBilbao –a place swarmingwith activity for all and sundry that is expected tobecome a new leisure and cultural hub.

AlhóndigaBilbao is bringing its curtain up with thehope of hosting activities in its 43,000-square-metresurface area that encourage the love of knowledge,awaken cultural sensitivity, lead to positive experiencesin the different stages of life, and contribute to theconsolidation of strong values.

Culture, knowledge, and fun are coming together inan innovative, multidisciplinary space that will bebrimming with life –a meeting point to share, learn,and above all, enjoy with family and friends.

Localization

The centre is located in the Herat of the Abando quarter, with the PlazaArriquibar as a luxurious foyer to access a cultural space that doesnot require a reservation.

The former roundabout leaves cars on one side, in order to focus onthe pedestrian and rises to a height of almost 2 metres to lavish it withnew urban fittings and trees with spectacular flowering. There is alsopedestrian Access from Alameda Rekalde and Iparraguirre street.

Two of the three entrances to the building have been adapted forpeople with disabilities: lifts are available from Iparragirre and thereis a ramp from the Plaza Arriquibar.

CONCEPT: mens sana in corpore sano

AlhóndigaBilbao is a leisure, cultural, and wellness centre orientedtowards personal growth.

The Latin quotation derived from one of Juvenal’s Satires captures thespirit and concept of the centre. The idea is that AlhóndigaBilbao is aplace where visitors can accomplish the goal of Antiquity of strikingbalance between the body and the mind.

Since Philippe Starck first took charge of the rehabilitation project, everytask was aimed at the creation of a multidisciplinary space open to allcitizens and oriented towards personal growth and the developmentof human relationships. This is the most interesting thing aboutAlhóndigaBilbao, for its purpose will make it an ever-changing place.

HISTORY OFALHÓNDIGA

In 1905, Ricardo Bastida was entrusted withthe task of building a new warehouse inEnsanche de Albia. The young architectdesigned a state-of theart and functionalindustrial building that was to serve as awine and liqueur storage facility. Hismodernist warehouse was built using brick,iron, and reinforced concrete.

The new warehouse –Alhóndiga– openedin 1909. Ten years later, it was devastatedby fire. It remained closed for many decades,awaiting rehabilitation and a new purpose.

Since 1975, many projects have been draftedto revamp this original building, which is partof Bilbao’s cityscape and the collectivememory of Bilbainos.

In 2002, the first steps were taken towardsrehabilitation based on a project to convertthe empty warehouse to a multi-function,allencompassing centre.

The internationally renowned multi-facetedcreative Philippe Starck was commissionedto carry out the project. The architecturalrehabilitation and urban development workhas taken eight years to complete.

Those who cross the AlhóndigaBilbao‘s thresholdwill be received by the "Atrium of Cultures", anarea of 6,193 m2 surrounded by 43 columns withthe task of supporting the internal buildings.

INSIDE ALHÓNDIGABILBAO

The 43 columns, designed by film and TVset designer Lorenzo Baraldi, drewinspiration from various architectural stylesand materials, mostly marble, bronze,wood, brick, glazed terracotta tiles, cement,and Lecce stone. This reveals thedesigners' trust in "noble materials”, assame as Bastida used in the originalbuilding –steel, brick and concrete–, whichhave been kept where they could standalongside new, contemporary buildingmaterials or structures.

The basements are accessed fromthis meeting point, to reach theleisure area, cinemas, exhibition halland an auditorium for 400 spectators.

To round it off, the visitor can go upto the magnificent "Sun Terrace",located over the roof.

This is the admiration of visitorsentering to the Atrium of Cultureswhen they look up to the roof,thanks to the transparent bottomof its swimming pools.

An enormous projection screen hangs inthe centre of the Alhóndiga universe, wherepeople can see the programming or theactivities of Alhondiga, with an enormousvirtual sun, a star that will illuminate theinterior and provide the energy and heatrequired for the perfect genesis of project.

THE THREE BUILDINGS

The three three-level themed buildingsfeaturing multi-purpose spaces coversome 15.000 square metres. These threeareas of Alhóndiga are dedicated tofitness and physical exercise, a medialibrary (Mediateka), and extra activities.

With 2676 m2 surface area and two floors with a doubleheight, AlhondigaBilbao offers an ideal space forrelaxation, health and physical development. The corridorto the upper swimming pools and changing rooms leadsoff from here. The gym has the most modern equipmentand is flanked by perimeter monitors with live broadcastsfor the enjoyment of users, who will be able to exercisewhilst watching their favourite TV programme.

People who prefer relaxing exercises can get deep intodisciplines, guided by experts, designed to connect bodyand mind such as tai chi chuan or yoga, among others.As many as 50 fitness programmes with sessionscomprising more than 280 weekly hours are available inAlhóndigaBilbao.

PHYSICALEXERCISE BUILDING

With more than 4.000 m2 surface areadistributed in three floors, the Mediatekashows a 'new' concept of libraries understoodas the fabric of social space. A meeting pointfor cultural tendencies in which it is possibleto enjoy audiovisual presentations, attendtraining workshops, listen to music, as wellas making bibliographic consultations.

The media library contains multidisciplinarycollections, with more than 50.000 copies,specialising in literature, comics, exercise,health, leisure and entertainment,audiovisuals and science. All information invarious media can be accessed for free andis sorted by simple, user-friendly criteria.

MEDIATEKABUILDING

The media library will feature a roomfor the little ones with all the facilitiesespecially designed for kids. Parentsare encouraged to stay with theirchildren and see how they discoverthe world of reading while gettinginformation on child development,child psychology and parenting.

The Complementary ActivitiesBuilding covers a surface areaof approximately 2,200 m2,which is a continuation of theconcept of AlhóndigaBilbao.The use of this area will beannounced in the near future.

COMPLEMENTARYACTIVITIES BUILDINGS

Looking from the ground floor upward, the preserved bay navesare integrated into the vision of the building by means of acontinuous glass façade which permits a view of the originalstructure and the steel reinforcement. These large showcasesfacing the atrium provide a special space to carry outcomplementary activities with certain autonomy from the mainuses, especially on the ground floor, or they can even be acomplement to the main activities of AlhóndigaBilbao.

The entrance to the administrative area of AlhóndigaBilbao isvia the bay naves which face Alameda Urquijo Street, alsoleading to Shopa, the only commercial locale found withinAlhóndigaBilbao. Shopa is specialised in art and culture, whichincludes a book section, a fashion section, and sections fordesign, office and stationary supplies and a wines and oilssection, along with a children’s section.

USE OF THE BAY NAVES

The Alameda Rekalde Street baynave is the entrance to the MediaLibrary, as well as to the cafés andrestaurants of the Yandiola Groupwho operate the distinguishedYandiola Restaurant, Hola Café-Barand Florinda Restaurant.

In this same bay nave we find YanEskola, a cooking classroom on thefirst floor, and up on the roof isthe Terraza del Yandiola, a uniquelocation where one can look out overBilbao, and where one can kick back,relax and sip on one of the numerouscocktails served.