Page 118 - 360.revista de Alta Velocidad - Nº 6

Ayrault Pérez, Juan

7.5 New cultural facilities

In a generation term, a new sensitivity toward the heritage and the commitment of cultural
officials appeared and fostered relevant projects involving the refurbishment of old facilities.
Apart the Prado, the very jewel of the crown, periodically subject to renovations along its
history, the first significant renovation of the area came on the late 70’s. The Royal Botanical
Garden was refurbished in from 1977 to 1981, funded by the Ministry of Culture. Senseless
projects were fortunately forgotten. The architectural part was designed by Antonio Fernández
Alba, who made an exemplary recovery of the most refined neoclassical architecture: the
original 18th century buildings were renovated, eliminating inappropriate additions. The
project restored the 18th century gardening plan and recuperated the most relevant vegetation
elements as well. In 1993, a new glasshouse was built according to a project by Ángel Fernández
Alba, Soledad del Pino and José Manuel de la Puente.

Figure 39: Royal Botanical Garden.
Source: http://www.secretosdemadrid.es

The Prado museum was the object of an international contest won by Rafael Moneo. The
building grew underground and added a new pavilion around the ruins of the old cloister of
San Jerónimo monastery, enlarging the surface dedicated to temporary exhibitions, workshops
and ancillary services, thus liberating surface in the old Villanueva building for the permanent
collection exhibition.

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