Born from the need to expand Madrid and with the idea of creating a new upper class or rather a bourgeois residential neighborhood, the purpose of Argüelles was to help change the archaic image of the city. The bourgeoisie, industrial development and large civil constructions marked first few decades of life in the area.
With the intention of rejuvenating the neighborhood, there are several multidisciplinary concepts proposed. Connecting inner areas, developing existing facilities and providing for good living conditions, the strategies focus on an urban and architectural perspective. Identifying buildings of low quality with neither the vocation nor the requisites suitable for proper student housing helped identifying areas for development. Renovating these buildings to accommodate housing for students with courtyards as common spaces for interaction are introduced to help enhance the neighborhood’s appeal.
Hence, synthetic development can be achieved through regeneration of the social fabric, outdoor spaces and ground floor uses of the existing buildings.
Project: Rejuvenation of bourgeoisie neighborhood
Year: 2021
Area: 755,760 sq. m.
Location: Argüelles, Madrid
Type: Sociological urban interventions, policy making
Collaborators: Elissavet Pasli, Enriqueta Vindel
Open Spaces
Pedestrian Streets
Redeveloped Streets