The Metropol Parasol replaced what was going to be a parking garage, a €14 million project that was halted immediately upon the discovery of Moorish and Roman archaeological artifacts on the site. So, the municipality regrouped and launched an international design competition for an urban revival project that would renew the open air marketplace that has run in Seville’s historic old quarter for hundreds of years. Jürgen Mayer’s firm won the competition and construction commenced in 2005.
In 2007, the engineering firm Arup claimed that the project wasn’t structurally feasible, and new kinds of glue were used to make it so. Now, more than a year after its enormously popular inauguration, the soaring waffle roller coaster draws scores of visitors who can enjoy one of the best views of the city. There are four levels, starting with the underground Antiquarium housing the found artifacts, and then the ground floor marketplace. Two terraces and a series of winding ramps make up the upper two levels, and its even possible to have a meal at the restaurant. It’s one thing to write about a place, but something entirely different to see it up close and we highly recommend the experience.
+ Jürgen Mayer H. Architects
All photographs by Tafline Laylin for Inhabitat
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Inhabitat has covered Spain’s stunning Metropol Parasol in the past – and we even interviewed the project’s designer Jürgen Mayer – but this is the first time we’ve actually had a chance to visit the world’s largest wooden structure, and it’s like on a
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Inhabitat got to visit the Metropol Parasol in Spain for the first time!
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This is the world’s largest timber structure
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It is located in the old quarter of Seville in southern Spain
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It is 490 x 230 feet wide and 85 feet tall
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Construction commenced in 2005 and was completed in April, 2011
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The Metropol Parasol is one of the most visited structures in all of Seville
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The six parasols reference the nearby Cathedral of Seville
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It is constructed mostly out of bonded timber with a polyurethane coating
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There are four levels (this is the uppermost)
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This is just one of the parasols
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Close up of the bonded timber panels
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The ramps wind around the enormous structure like a giant roller coaster
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Seating and even a restaurant are available
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The Metropol Parasol has some of the best views of the city
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It takes about 45 minutes to explore all four levels
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We love the fluid dynamic of the place, as well as the fun lighting and shadows
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Roller coaster, right?
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The project was designed to revive an ancient open air marketplace
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Notice the city in the far background.
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It cost roughly 100 Euros!
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It costs less than 2 Euro to visit
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This is the old city, which has a long and interesting history
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Although this structure is very sturdy, it’s hard not to get a little seasick up here
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The parasols curve and were originally designed to mimic fungus
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This is outdoor seating for the restaurant
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The bonded timber panels look like giant waffles
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The white buildings in the background are typical of Andalusia
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This is where the open air marketplace is held
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Notice the small tents on the ground… these give a sense of the project’s incredible scale
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Wheeeeee
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This is the staircase leading out from the underground Antiquarium
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Even the elevator is cool!
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Learn all about the site’s history as well as the project’s controversial development in the underground Antiquarium (in Spanish)
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