The cylindrical Lugo History Museum in Spain attracts a throng of curious people, which is great, except that they also come with a load of fossil-fueled vehicles that litter the beautiful landscape. Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos came up with the perfect solution: park the the cars and the museum underground. Not only does this keep the vehicles out of view, but the thermal inertia ensures maximum energy efficiency as well. The weathered-steel buildings are reached via a spiral staircase that leads beneath a sheet of green grass. This extends as far as Lugo’s urban park, ensuring an uninterrupted reach of green spaces where there was once a thriving industrial zone. And If this isn’t enough green goodness for you, note that the architects have also made room for energy-generating solar panels.
