University & College Architecture Trip To Madrid

CaixaForum Madrid is a 21st-century sociocultural centre offering old, modern and contemporary art, music and poetry festivals, multimedia art, debates on current affairs, social symposiums and educational workshops. It is housed in an impressive building that was once an electric power station, rehabilitated by the architecture studio Herzog and de Meuron.

Dedicated to 20th century Spanish art, the biggest draw of this museum is Picasso’s Guernica, shown with preparatory sketches and photographs of the artist at work. This exhibit gives students an appreciation of how artists create their work and respond to the world around them. Dalí, Miró, and others are also represented in film, sculpture and photographs.

Completing the ‘Golden Triangle’ of art museums in Madrid – along with the Prado and Reina Sofía museums – this one focuses on the works the others neglect. From early Italian paintings to contemporary European and American works, students can explore and draw inspiration from these fine examples of art that will aid their studies enormously.

Originally designed by Luis Bellido as a livestock market and slaughterhouse, the Matadero is now a sleek new multi-disciplinary arts centre. The subject of a recent urban renewal project, the architects have cleverly used materials like industrial hoses and existing brick work to ensure the building’s history was retained.

Photo © Ales Kubr 2.

Take your group on a bespoke tour of Madrid, prepared and led by a qualified architect. Suggested itineraries include museums such as the CaixaForum, set in a former electric power station and the expanded Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. A contemporary tour includes the Regional Archives, set in a converted brewery and the Madrid River Project.