The mad architecture of Telefonica's Madrid HQ

[Tobers]

I was in Madrid on Monday and Tuesday and took a privileged look around Telefonica's new HQ. Now this is a most amazing place. It is absolutely huge, built in a rectangle which is 1km across its diagonals with a large central open area complete with lake, fountain etc etc.

Apparently it has the largest roof in the world which I can believe.

The architecture is just mental. It is all shades of grey, all angular, not a curve to be seen anywhere. Even the windows have light grey one-way coating which you cant see through from the outside (unless the lights are on) but you can see through from the inside.

I was just packing my 24-105 lens - I didn't have my wide angle lens so didn't even try to capture the whole place, so here's 7 pics to give you a taster. I know its difficult to get the scale but the last pic should help a tad. Rather aptly, the weather was grey and dull, no blue sky or colour whatsoever. I think I'd go mad working there, but it's certainly a striking place.

#1

#2

#3 this column must be 8 stories high leading up to the perforated roof (not much good when it rains!).

#4 A touch of colour from some rust - they'll have to get that fixed!!

#5 Looking horizontally from 5 stories up - no idea what this immense steelwork does structurally. Each square is about 6mx6m

#6 I like this one for obvious reasons, but it also gives you an idea of scale

#7 Straight lines everywhere. Foreground detail of some totally unnecessary framework leading to another corner of the building in the background.

#8 Sun going down and the lights come on. What's that colour doing there!! This is one corner of the structure.

[alfienoakes]

Wow, that looks like a bonkers place

#2 is the pick of a great bunch. I'm still left wondering what on earth it is I'm looking at (which is a good thing).

[onefivenine]

I really like this series of shots. Very nice!

[Paranormalist]

That first one is hypnotising.
Stunning work on all of them, Tobers.

[sbowler]

Awesome architecture.

[Just call me Al]

Some interesting shots there. I like Madrid & would love to take my SLR over there sometime. No 8 with the roof on, I thought why cover it in a sunny climate like that, then I remembered, Madrid gets extra HOT in the Summer & Very COLD in the Winter, due to it being in the center of the country & in the mountains. Really great you brought those photo's to us.

[Spooky]

Love Pattern shots and these are great, place looks awesome.

[salubrious_k]

A great set of shots. Just my kind of thing. Nos 2 and 3 are my particular favourites.

[dazza74]

#2,#3 and #6 are my favourites.

Looks a great building, great place Madrid I think the Museum of Modern Art their is pretty good for modern architecture from what I remember.

[Tobers]

Thanks all - I'll have to go back and spend a bit more time there skulking about. I only had about 15 mins to get those shots. A bit more wide angle action would suit the place very well.

[mpritch]

Hi Tobers,

My kind of thing also - and my fav (prob like yours) is #6. Is that really a man bending over in the shot - I like how his leg is at the angle of the lead in line from the left - sat here for quite a few minutes studying the pic.

I know what you mean by grey grey and grey . Based on experience, (well you know where I was working last year)..... buildings like this are amazing to look at and visit but to work it's probably not a great environment - even with a fountain . It's very visually driven, but I often feel buildings like this are conceived to win awards - which is great for the architect, but they lack a human element. I wonder what it's like in the offices - if it's as clinical inside as out, I could imagine a few people going insane. But saying that there are thousands of idenkit offices around which probably also drive people insane.

Love to see more images if you have,

Mark.

[Tobers]

Originally Posted by mpritch

Is that really a man bending over in the shot - I like how his leg is at the angle of the lead in line from the left - sat here for quite a few minutes studying the pic.

Yes indeed - it looks like he's plunged his head through the window.

Here's 3 more for you since you asked

#9 Completely unnecessary roof structure. Golf driving range in the distance .

#10 More distant shot of the escalator with the rusty steel panel.

#11 Heading indoors for a dose of colour