The Most Emblematic Modern Constructions of Spain

The teacher made an «X» on the blackboard and asked: «Does anyone know tell me what this is?», the children cried out almost in unison that was an “X”. ‘My students are very versed’ thought ironic the teacher (it was clear that he had not a great vocation), but while he was heading back to the blackboard, to continue with his task, someone said behind him with a sharp voice: «Can also to be an emblem». Intrigued by who of the students could have said that, he turned, and would lie if he had not said that he was surprised to see that the voice was that of Abelardo, the quieter child of the class.

Even so, the professional of the education wanted to mark his territory, and so that the student does not want to speak more, he said: «And what is the role of the emblems, Abelardo?». The child fell silent a few seconds and, when it seemed that he would not be able to articulate word, began his speech: «the function of the emblems is very varied and prolix (there was a murmur when he said this word), as it has not defined much, I will talk about that more I like to me, the logo of a city or population.«

As you know, a city or population stems from a complex of buildings that share a more or less defined infrastructure. Historically, this cities was remote socially and culturally, each one with an identity that distinguished them, today, is no longer so easy to distinguish the cities, however, in Spain there are many modern constructions that, seeing them, until you know the name of the city.

The first of which I speak is located in Bilbao, the impressive building by Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim, is a building that was not free of controversy before and after of its completion, but that, today, is a tourist and cultural attraction unprecedented. Imagine that you moved to Turkey with a t-shirt of the galloping e unrepeatable silhouette of the Museum, there would be many people who will tell you exactly where it is, and, in addition, many others would ask you with interest. This building is clearly an emblem of Bilbao.

The second is at the other end of the country, in Tenerife, where they realized the singular tourist projection that would have a landmark for their territory. Of course, they recruited to the Spanish architect’s greatest influence, and they were not mistaken, Auditorium Adam Martin has been since then in the media eye and cultural of the more fortunate Islands. The world surrender before this wave of reinforced concrete whose silhouette recognize countless citizens of the far away Holland.

As say by there: of the North to the South stopped in the Center, so, now I speak of the modern emblem of the capital Spanish, an emblem composed by (nothing more and nothing less that) four towers of similar heights. Madrid is recognizable in Dubai if you’re wearing a t-shirt with the buildings of Norman Foster (Cepsa Tower), Cesar Pelli (Crystal Tower), Carlos Rubio Carvajal and Enrique Álvarez-Sala Walther (PWC Tower) and the Ieoh Ming Pei and Henry N. Cobb (Space Tower).

Needless to say that one of the most visited capitals of Spain is Seville, its potential in attractions turistic is so powerful that, in many countries, when talk about Spain, think in the Andalusian culture. One of the constructions modern that are pushing, even more, this claim international is the Metropol Parasol designed by Jürgen Mayer, more known as the Mushrooms of Seville. Go, go, distinguished Professor, now to Argentina with a t-shirt of the mushrooms and you’ll be amazed of how many people recognize it.

Fifthly, although not least (remember that the order is random), I will expose a set of buildings that changed a region: the city of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. Again, the unique Santiago Calatrava has made a great job, not only aesthetic, also architecturally. A Valencian that walks through Canada with the emblem of this cultural and scientific complex, he will see the envy that causes by to enjoy of this majestic claim.

And if we walk a little to the North, we will discover that the all-powerful Barcelona has, of course, another modern emblem to brag about around the globe, I speak of the Agbar Tower, the first building to shadow (aesthetic) to the Sagrada Familia (Gaudi building). Indeed, the architect Jean Nouvel, said that he had based in this for give the form final to the building (you do not miss, master of master, the views of the Cathedral from the dome of the Tower). In Japan are aware of the beauty of this building… and its location!

We must speak now of a set of buildings that, still unfinished, represent the forefront of the architecture in Galicia, the City of Culture aims to be a beacon that shine all over the Atlantic. Some people say that it is very pretentious, many others think that the construction should have been completed. Peter Eisenman, the designer of the work, raised a total of six buildings associated with the culture, immersed in a simulation of the Gaias mount. In Mumbai they know Santiago de Compostela very well, and I’d bet that its City of Culture, also.

And I will finish my dissertation today, illustrious mentor, expressing (as I can) the admiration that feel in Moscow by the work emblematic modern most popular of Benidorm, because, despite the fact that it is undergoing problems of liquidity, both me as the Muscovites are confident in the completion of the construction of the Intempo Tower, designed by the architectural firm of Perez Guerras, a fabulous structure in which we would be happy to reside, a commitment to the audacity that has not had good end… for now.»

When Abelardo finished of speak, the tension was palpable in the class, many children watched puzzled by the knowledge of their companion, others, not so much, and, to some, even gave them equal. But the professor was rubicund and disfigured, not knew how to react by the rebellion of his student. Was then when recalled his classes of meditation and, making the due exercises mental, began to relax. After a while he said: «Very well Abelardo, thanks for your comments, now, dear students, I will continue with the class», and started to write one «Y» on the blackboard.

 Disclosure: The characters that appear in this article, their different personalities and their relationships with each other and with the environment are part of a fiction. The author is not responsible for the views expressed in the article and has no business relationship with any of the companies listed on it.