La Caixa" has inaugurated last February the “CaixaForum Madrid” building, a new social and cultural Centre of "la Caixa". Social and Cultural Outreach Projects has been created as a platform in accordance with the concerns and needs of today’s society: a living centre that has opened its doors on the Paseo del Prado to place itself at the service of citizens.
Exhibitions of ancient, modern and contemporary art, music and poetry festivals, multimedia art, debates on contemporary issues, social seminars, educational and family-oriented workshops... these are just some of CaixaForum Madrid’s activities. Among others, families with children, students, senior citizens and school groups will all discover a new meeting point at the CaixaForum Madrid. Entrance will be free of charge.
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The CaixaForum Madrid has reclaimed one of the few examples of industrial architecture in Madrid’s historical centre: the old Central Eléctrica del Mediodía (Mediodía Electric Power Plant). The project has been carried out by the Swiss firm of architects, Herzog & de Meuron. The CaixaForum Madrid is the result of a single desire: to extend and diversity the social and cultural activities offered by "la Caixa" Social and Cultural Outreach Projects in the capital to benefit of its citizens. It represents a new concept in social and cultural centres befitting the 21st century, a platform in accordance with the concerns of today’s society, promoting the value of culture as a means of social integration. Knowledge is promoted and personal growth enhanced for citizens of all ages by means of art exhibitions, concerts, cycles of literature and poetry, debates on contemporary issues, educational and family-oriented workshops and activities designed for senior citizens. The Welfare Project’s cultural activities help people discover the great civilisations of the past as well as the latest ideas in art, music and thought. All this from a global perspective and attending to the issues of today’s world.
With the inauguration of the CaixaForum Madrid, "la Caixa" Social and Cultural Outreach Projects has gone further than merely extend its former exhibition rooms in the capital. It has implemented a new concept in social and cultural centres, offering a comprehensive and innovative programme that enhances the integrating capacity of culture and its importance for people’s communication and well-being. With this aim in mind, and coinciding with the change in century, in 2001 "la Caixa" acquired the old Central Eléctrica del Mediodía, reclaiming one of the few jewels of industrial architecture in Madrid’s historical centre and converting it into the CaixaForum Madrid, a living centre at the service of each and every citizen.
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The old Central Eléctrica del Mediodía, designed in 1899 by architect Jesús Carrasco-Muñoz Encina and engineer José María Hernández, was not only in ruins but was also hemmed in within the densely developed city, detached from the Salón del Prado and with a total capacity of just 2,000 m2. The architectural redesign has increased this capacity five-fold to 10,000 m2 and has put the building back on Madrid’s map.
This has been possible by incorporating into the new centre the space that was previously occupied by a petrol station at number 36 Paseo del Prado (which blocked any view of the building), now transformed into a new public square for citizens in the heart of their city. The brick facade of the old power plant has also been restored using traditional materials and techniques, regaining its original appearance, and extra volume has been added both above and below the building. The hitherto forgotten power plant now stands proud at number 36 Paseo del Prado, transformed into the CaixaForum Madrid, a centre combining tradition and modernity with a wide range of free activities for people of all ages and interests.
Further information
Obra Social La Caixa |
