A.M.A. Headquarters in Madrid is a Big Steely Building with a Tiny Footprint

Business parks are traditionally known for planting more<a href="http://inhabitat.com/massive-green-roofed-innovation-hub-set-to-launch-botswana-into-high-tech-business/" target="_blank"> buildings</a> in an open landscape than actual flora. Luckily, <a href="http://www.rafaeldelahoz.com/" target="_blank">Rafael de la Hoz Architects</a> have designed a building in one such park that is conscious of its <a href="http://inhabitat.com/fincube-eco-home-packs-panoramic-views-into-a-tiny-footprint/" target="_blank">footprint</a>, making sure to take up the least amount of ground space possible, while respecting and celebrating the surrounding landscape. Located at the Cristalia <a href="http://inhabitat.com/frank-gehry-calls-sustainable-design-political/" target="_blank">Business Park</a> in the “Campo de las Naciones” of Madrid, the new building is home to A.M.A. Insurance's headquarters and has a cool metallic facade that brings a little futurism to the area.

The building stretches over 30,000 square feet and has seven floors including an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/auditorium-ciutat-delx-adds-open-space-with-a-sloping-green-roof/" target="_blank">auditorium</a> and cafe.

The glass and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/elevated-prefab-home-on-cusabo-island-is-perched-to-withstand-fire-and-hurricane/" target="_blank">steel </a>exterior facades reflect the tensions and balance needed to support the building that looks like a giant <a href="http://inhabitat.com/coachellas-human-powered-dj-booth-blasts-renewable-blips-and-bleeps/" target="_blank">see- saw</a>. 

In order to balance on its <a href="http://inhabitat.com/b-house/" target="_blank">minimalist</a> ground level, the enormous building features two 25 foot raised <a href="http://inhabitat.com/cantilever-house-combines-commercial-steel-and-residential-style/">cantilevers</a>. These angled ends house the client reception area and an auditorium.

The open<a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-glass-generates-power-through-your-windows/" target="_blank"> glass facade</a> of the client area allows for a view of the landscape to climb up the slanted wall windows. The auditorium fits perfectly in the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/trapezoid-shaped-eye-bank-building-hugs-a-slope-of-stepped-green-terraces/" target="_blank">slope</a> design of the other end.

Steel beams zig zag across and encase the glass structure, providing not only an incredible <a href="http://inhabitat.com/giant-zig-zag-glass-umbrella-envelops-new-college-of-arts-in-nantes-france/" target="_blank">visual harmony</a> but also helping to keep the building cool and bright.

In preserving the business park landscape, the A.M.A. Headquarters building is an example of small steps <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-great-glass-house-swells-from-the-ground-like-a-giant-blue-egg/" target="_blank">innovative design</a> can take to work with and respect its surroundings.