Perched on an upwards slope and only visible from the western quarter of the city, Madrid's new Museum of Royal Collections lies nestled between the city’s Royal Palace and the grand Almudena Cathedral.
At first glance, the 46,000 sq m museum, designed by Spanish firm Mansilla+Tuñón (at the time headed by Emilio Tuñón and Luis Moreno Mansilla, who passed away in 2012), appears to act as the Royal Palace’s plinth. Its long pillars, made from granite, stretch up from below, visually cradling the neighbouring building.
Working with such a significant historical setting, it was important for the architects to develop a suitably context-sensitive approach. So, they drew inspiration from the closely situated palace, sourcing a palette of materials that would work in harmony with – and complement – the museum’s surroundings. The white concrete references the light-coloured limestone situated in the palace windows, while the museum’s external joinery and white wood shutters pay homage to the Royal Palace’s exterior fixtures.
The architects devised the layout with the ambition to create a dynamic contrast between the architecture and the museum’s historic exhibits. With this in mind, Mansilla+Tuñón opted for three exhibition levels, each assigned to a different collection; the first level houses tapestries; the second displays paintings, sculptures and other miscellaneous items; and the third floor exclusively focuses on carriages.
The museum’s interior program is organised in a linear way. When descending from the entrance, visitors are greeted by a ramp, which leads them to the galleries beyond. Each of these generous spaces measures 120m in length, 16m in width and span a breathtaking 8m high.
Currently in its tenth year of construction, the museum’s new home is almost finished, although the grant opening is not planned for a while still. The museum is scheduled to only open its doors to the public in 2018 – when the exhibition design reaches completion.
Each of museum’s three main exhibition spaces measures 120m in length, 16m in width and a breathtaking 8m in height
The museum’s interior program is organised in a linear way. The visitors are greeted by an internal ramp that leads them directly to the exhibition spaces
The architects’ layout aims to create a dynamic contrast between the modern architecture and the museum’s historic exhibits
Each of the three exhibition levels will host a distinct part of the collections
The first level houses tapestries; the second displays paintings, sculptures and other miscellaneous items; the third floor exclusively exhibits carriages
Aiming for a context-sensitive approach, Mansilla+Tuñón selected a palette of materials inspired by the closely situated palace
The museum’s outdoor joinery and white wooden shutters echo the Royal Palace’s exterior fixtures
Currently in its tenth year of construction, the museum will finally open its doors to the public in 2018 – when the exhibition design reaches completion
INFORMATION
For more information on the Royal Collections Museum, visit the architect’s website
-
Byredo holiday collection draws inspiration from Wim Wenders and Georgia O’KeefeByredo’s creative image director Lucia Pica speaks to Wallpaper* in an exclusive interview, revealing her off-kilter design process
-
2024 Pantone Color of the Year is looking deliciously peachy
Peach Fuzz is Pantone Color of the Year – time to refeather your nest in a comforting hue?
-
Design Miami 2023 explores how design responds to the world around us
Design Miami 2023 (until 10 December), curated by Anna Carnick, is guided by the theme of ‘Where We Stand’
-
Low-energy house in Catalonia minimises its footprint to make the most of its site
Alventosa Morell Arquitectes’ low-energy house in Catalonia nestles into the landscape
-
Hortensia Herrero Art Centre puts Valencia on the contemporary art map
Hortensia Herrero Art Centre launches in Valencia, offering a home for contemporary art to sit side by side with archaeological treasures
-
Collective, Hong Kong and Spain: Wallpaper* Architects Directory 2023
With bases in Hong Kong and Spain, Collective joins the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023, our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios
-
Nicolás y Nicolás, Spain and Ecuador: Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023
With offices in Spain and Ecuador, Nicolás y Nicolás is part of the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023, our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios
-
National Portrait Gallery reopens its refreshed home
London’s National Portrait Gallery reopens with a design by leading architect Jamie Fobert and conservation specialist Purcell
-
The Museum of Amazonian Science offers global hope and sustainability
An environmentalist’s ambitious project includes the Museum of Amazonian Science in Brazil and fulfils his vision of powering up the local bioeconomy and saving humanity
-
This light-filled Spanish house is defined by openness and geometry
A Spanish house by Arquitecturia Camps Felip is designed around its courtyards and its six volumes’ bold geometry
-
Spain’s Casa Primitiva is ruled by simplicity
The pared-back Casa Primitiva by Hanghar fits in perfectly in its semi-rural Spanish context
