Joan Miró Foundation, Mallorca. Rafael Moneo, 1992

Hide from the urban with contrast.

Moneo's building intention is to withdraw the visitor from the reigning urban atmosphere since it's approach. The Foundation consists of two concrete volumes clearly differentiated but after analyzing it deeply you realize that are truly connected between them.

On the one hand, Moneo designed an extended building of three storeys and flat roof, whose lonely opening is oriented to the north. The portal frame which faces to the south is equipped with brise-soleis that sieve filter the light creating a magical ambiance. On the other hand, the second volume contrasts with the first one being star-shaped and having a flood roof which pretends has a lake on the roof which creates a visual link with the sea, bringing it to the observer.

The fortress-like star-shaped plan acts as a fortress that defends itself from the hostile urban environment using his bastions. On the contrary, the interior differs totally from a fortress providing an unexpected freedom.

The exterior concrete wall filters the light by using through brise-soleils, while inwardly the building is faced with translucent alabaster blinds. It enhances the contrast between interior and exterior in this building. When the sun shower the building, The harsh sun transforms this star-shaped space into a resonating box of light reflected in the surrounding ponds. The low windows allow the visitor to establish visual contact only with view only the ponds and the gardens trying to disengage them from the urban surroundings environment of the place.

Carlos Afán de Riber

Hide from the urban with contrast.

Moneo´s building intention is to withdraw the visitor from the reigning urban atmosphere since it´s approach. The Foundation consists of two concrete volumes clearly differentiated but after analyzing it deeply you realize that are truly connected between them. On the one hand, Moneo designed an extended building of three storeys and flat roof, whose lonely opening is oriented to the north. The portal frame which faces to the south is equipped with brise-soleis that sieve the light creating a magic ambiance. On the other hand, the second volume contrast with the first one being star-shaped and having a flood roof which pretends to bring the sea to the observer.

The star-shaped plan acts as a fortress that defends itself from the hostile urban environment using his bastions. On the contrary, the interior differs totally from a fortress providing an unexpected freedom.

The exterior concrete wall filters the light by using brise-soleils, while inwardly is faced with translucent alabaster blinds. It enhances the contrast between interior and exterior in this building. When the sun shower the building, this star-shaped space become a resonance box of the light reflected in the surrounding ponds. The low windows allow the visitor to establish visual contact only with the ponds and the gardens trying to disengage him from the urban environment of the place.