Madrid’s Palacio de Cibeles Renovated Into Jaw-Dropping CentroCentro Cultural Center

It was constructed using 2,000 triangular <a title="Madrid Unveils Jaw Dropping Cultural Centre Design For Interaction Open To Citizens" href="http://inhabitat.com/the-great-glass-house-swells-from-the-ground-like-a-giant-blue-egg/" target="_blank">glass panels</a> that were hand-assembled using bars and knots.

Madrid's Palacio de Cibeles recently underwent a stunning renovation that respectfully preserved the beautiful old building while creating a friendly cultural center that is open to the public. Dubbed CentroCentro and designed by <a title="Madrid Unveils Jaw Dropping Cultural Centre Design For Interaction Open To Citizens" href="http://www.arquimatica.com/" target="_blank">Arquimatica</a> architectural studio, this jaw-dropping modern space offers Spanish citizens and visitors to the capital, a place to exchange cultural information and engage in contemporary life and culture. <a title="Madrid Unveils Jaw Dropping Cultural Centre Design For Interaction Open To Citizens" href="http://www.madrid.es/portales/munimadrid/es/Inicio/Eventos/CentroCentro-Palacio-de-Cibeles?vgnextfmt=default&amp;vgnextoid=5ff519cd7bcee210VgnVCM1000000b205a0aRCRD&amp;vgnextchannel=27dfb4f19cce3210VgnVCM10000026205a0aRCRD" target="_blank">CentroCentro</a> is the perfect example of how an <a title="Madrid Unveils Jaw Dropping Cultural Centre Design For Interaction Open To Citizens" href="http://inhabitat.com/architecture/" target="_blank">architectural</a> building from the beginning of the 20th century can be brought up to date with contemporary sustainable building strategies - from green materials and natural light optimization to resource conservation and energy-efficient systems.

The "central operational yard" is still the soul of the building. The big front windows overlooking the street’s plaza have been re-opened, and the beautiful glass skylight panels and original <a title="Madrid Unveils Jaw Dropping Cultural Centre Design For Interaction Open To Citizens" href="http://inhabitat.com/olafur-eliassons-crystal-inspired-concert-hall-opens-in-reykjavik/" target="_blank">crystal</a> tiled floor have been cleaned and restored to allow natural light to shine all the way down to the basement floor.

Both ends of the central yard have been designated as social areas, where visitors can go to learn about the cultural activities that the bustling Spanish capital has to offer.

As a contrast to the classic-but-cold building’s architecture, these people-friendly areas are designed to combine innovation, information, and comfort.

This bright, bold and open spaces feature colorful sofas and bean bags, wooden <a title="Madrid Unveils Jaw Dropping Cultural Centre Design For Interaction Open To Citizens" href="http://inhabitat.com/javier-mariscals-stylish-recycled-plastic-chair-is-designed-for-disassembly/" target="_blank">furniture that is designed for disassembly</a>, and recycled <a title="Madrid Unveils Jaw Dropping Cultural Centre Design For Interaction Open To Citizens" href="http://inhabitat.com/a4a-design-showcases-its-amazing-recycled-honeycomb-cardboard-sculptures-in-milan/" target="_blank">honeycomb</a> cardboard tables.

All the furniture from these areas has been specially designed for the context to make visitors feel at home. Newspapers, brochures and books are available on small side tables and shelves, while the striped hanging lamps are replicas of the fixtures that Antonio Palacios designed back at the time.

One of the most striking features of CentroCentro is its new Crystal Gallery roof.

The structure rises over the building's backyard and measures almost 10,000 square feet, weighs 500 tons, and stands 98 feet high.

The building’s original 200 foot-tall tower designed to store antennas and other communication artifacts is also now open to the public. The clean, metallic structure is ornament-free, and it holds a restaurant on the 6th floor.

A gorgeous open-air watchtower situated within the terrace offers lucky visitors a unique view of the Madrid skyline.

The building's auditorium offers space for 296 spectators and features an amazing interior made from triangular <a title="Madrid Unveils Jaw Dropping Cultural Centre Design For Interaction Open To Citizens" href="http://inhabitat.com/russian-woodworker-carves-rustic-furniture-from-solid-trunks-of-fallen-trees/" target="_blank">wood</a> panels.