A huge wooden structure - Metropol Parasol in Seville

Considered the largest wooden structure in the world, Metropol Parasol in Plaza de la Encarnacion in Seville, Spain, is a stunning construction. It has four levels and a height of 28.5 m, with a total surface area of 18,000 m², of which the building itself occupies 5,000 m². The total surface area of the levels is 12670 m². The timber, steel and concrete structure was built between 2005-2011 and cost €90 million. Design by the architectural firm J.Mayer H. Architects has thus become a representative image that Seville identifies with.

A huge waffle in Plaza de la Encarnacion

Looking like a giant waffle, the huge wooden structure forms awnings and walkways that give the medieval city of Seville a modern look without taking away from its charm. Metropol Parasol functions as a unique organic urban space, with bars and restaurants, promenades, a market for local farmers, and an archaeological museum. The construction creates a unique connection between the historic center and the contemporary city.

The idea of the project was to book shade for a city in great need of such spaces. It was also intended that the Roman ruins in the area would not be disturbed in any way, and the project included them without disturbing them. The columns that support the entire wooden structure were positioned at several points around the ruins. Mushroom-shaped, the columns are large enough to have stairs and elevators inside to access the upper levels.

The entire wooden structure is bonded with a polyurethane resin that is highly resistant to the high temperatures typical of the area. In fact, this is the pride of the project - a huge wooden structure bonded with polyurethane resin in the form of foam.

Before being an architect Yurgen Mayer H. is an artist so all his architectural works include artistic sculptural elements. Metropol Parasol is such a combination of architecture and art. In addition, the project is realized by modern non-repetitive computerized techniques so there are no two identical parts inside the construction.

At the top level, Metropol Parasol has sheltered walkways offering a bird's eye view of Seville.

The Metropol Parasol is a huge wooden structure that provides Seville's residents with shade, plays of light and shadow and a modern space for meeting and relaxing in a historic site. It is both admired and loathed, like any work of genius. Yurgen Mayer says he's aware that many of the city's residents hate his work, but recalls that in the beginning Parisians also hated the Eiffel Tower, which is now the symbol of Paris. He hopes the same will happen with the Metropol Parasol.

(source: yatzer.com)