Was it a mere underpass or something far grander? La Arqueria de Nuevos Ministerios is more than just an arcade. It is a place where art and architecture converge.
La Arqueria de Nuevos Ministerios stands as a testament to Madrid’s urban development. It reflects the vision of architect Secundino Zuazo. Zuazo conceived it in the 1930s. It was designed as a filter between the bustling city and a serene garden.
Let’s step back in time to the 1930s. Madrid was expanding north along the Paseo de la Castellana. The old Madrid Hippodrome stood in the way. Its demolition paved the way for the Nuevos Ministerios complex. Zuazo collaborated with Hermann Jansen on this grand avenue. La Castellana would become Madrid’s main axis. Construction of Nuevos Ministerios began in 1933.
The Spanish Civil War interrupted Zuazo’s plans. He was removed from his position. A team of engineers and architects replaced him. They changed Zuazo’s brick facade to stone.
Fast forward to 1983. The exhibition hall within Nuevos Ministerios opened. It served the Ministry of Housing. José María Aparicio and Adolfo Morán designed the space. They enclosed ten gaps under the arches with glass. Inside, ten plastic vaults held lighting rails.
Two years later, Ramón Vázquez Molezún remodeled the exhibition room. He replaced the vaults with rails. In 1988, Alejandro de la Sota added wooden platforms. These platforms expanded in 1998. Jesús Aparicio and Héctor Fernández Elorza developed the underground level in 2001.
Today, the connection between street and garden is diminished. The ENAIRE Foundation sought to revitalize La Arqueria. They launched an architectural competition to transform it into an art center. AGi architects proposed a design to restore Zuazo’s original vision. Their proposal seeks formal clarity and visual transparency. The aim is to eliminate divergent elements and simplify the space. The design involves a distribution across three floors. Every new element remains distinct from the existing structure.
The proposal includes restoring transparency. Glass paraments with solar control will fill each arch. The garden will become an outdoor exhibition hall. A steel plate marks the entrance to make the art center recognizable.
Inside, vertical communication cores are enclosed in glass. They bring natural light into the interior. The museographic solutions vary by level. The basement recovers the vaulted room’s image. Maple wood swing panels allow flexible exhibition configurations. Configurable modular pedestals and curtains define the permanent exhibition hall. Mobile partitions and curtains shape the first floor’s museography.
La Arqueria de Nuevos Ministerios has undergone significant changes recently. Between 2019 and 2023, Frade Arquitectos revitalized the space. They preserved the original aesthetic. The project enhanced its versatility. The building has specific protection under Madrid’s urban planning regulations. The refurbishment incorporated modern standards for public buildings. These include energy-efficient systems, such as new glazing and solar panels.
The new communication core is a key feature. Staircases, elevators, and ramps connect the floors. This simplifies circulation and allows flexible use of the three levels. The north access to La Arqueria has reopened. This allows the Aulario to function independently or with the exhibition halls.
The ENAIRE Foundation manages La Arqueria for the next three years. Since its reopening, La Arqueria hosts both temporary and permanent exhibitions. These exhibitions showcase contemporary art and architecture. The foundation’s art collection includes works by renowned Spanish artists. Admission to La Arqueria is free.
La Arqueria de Nuevos Ministerios is more than an architectural space. It is a cultural hub. It reflects Madrid’s past, present, and future. Its transformation into an art center ensures its continued relevance. It is a place where art, architecture, and urban life converge.