The future Puerta del Sol needs shadows.
The councilors of the Madrid City Council reached this conclusion this morning during the Works commission.
José Manuel Calvo, mayor of Recupera Madrid ―formation created by three former members of Más Madrid in 2021 after internal disagreements―, has posed the following question to the popular mayor.
“Knowing that you cannot put trees because you have an exchanger underneath, it is possible to put awnings or similar elements that generate shaded spaces”, he has observed.
"It is perfectly feasible to incorporate light elements that do not cover the view of this space and that are compatible with the thickness of the slab, which allow the generation of shadow shelters."
More information
The new Puerta del Sol: the heart and icon of Madrid is rearranged and simplified
The councilor has been blunt.
"I agree with you," she said.
“We are studying with the Board of the Center and we want the merchants of the square to join so that shadow areas are incorporated in the sunniest areas of the square.
I agree that it will be necessary to recover those awnings that were there and to be able to do it in coordination with everyone”.
The proposal, according to the mayor, will be carried out when the reform is more advanced.
The epicenter and heart of the capital of Spain has been upside down for a couple of months.
José Luis Martínez-Almeida wants this to be his main legacy to repeat as mayor of the city in 2023. It will involve a municipal investment of 10.7 million euros.
The works will last, predictably, until the spring of next year.
In other words, if everything goes according to plan, the inaugural tape will be cut in the middle of the electoral campaign for the regional and municipal elections.
On February 24, during the presentation of the project, the main criticism received by the municipal corporation from the opposition was the elimination of all existing shade in the square.
The councilor then explained that it had not been possible during a press conference with questions:
"Is there going to be no plants, no trees?"
-Nope.
We have tried, but the Local Heritage Commission has not let us.
We are going to incorporate it in the surroundings.
It was not possible.
And, where they could, they have not left us.
"Large planters?"
"They tried to ask and it has been impossible."
Weeks later, during an interview with this newspaper, the architects of the project, José Ignacio Linazasoro and Ricardo Sánchez, explained that it was unfeasible.
“We would have liked to include it,” Sánchez said.
"We planted 15 trees where it could be done, which was from Calle Mayor to Carrera de San Jerónimo."
However, Patrimonio forbade them to put the trees.
Will there be shadow elements?
“Specially, we thought of it with awnings, in the north arch area, in front of the Real Casa de Correos building and in the style of the awnings that are placed on Calle de Preciados or Calle del Carmen.
We don't know if they will let us, but let's hope so."
Aerial view of Puerta del Sol in Madrid and its surroundings, in 2020. Alberto Ferreras
The changes of the square
What will change?
All.
The famous equestrian statue of Carlos III, in the center of the square since 1994, will be moved to the central building of the Community of Madrid, the Real Casa de Correos.
At this point, if one exits through these wooden doors of the building, to the left one would find the statue of Carlos III, which will be placed on the only remaining fountain;
in front, with a large compass rose, where it will be indicated that this is the kilometer zero of Spain on a small altar ―replacing the small existing canopy on the ground― and to the right you will find the new station surroundings.
More works.
Goodbye to the
swallow
or
whale
.
The Renfe station of 2023 will have a more oval and glazed shape, so that no angles will be formed that impede the view.
Totally transparent.
The intention of those responsible is that the glass enhances the sensation of a much more open square.
"This glass is going to have a treatment to mitigate heat," said the Works delegate during the presentation of the project.
“This is being put across Europe, it is the most modern structure.
This is the architecture of the 21st century”.
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