Santiago De Compostela | Tag

Santiago de Compostela Architecture City Guide: Exploring Spain’s Pilgrimage Heritage and Modern Design

about 10 hours ago

Santiago de Compostela, located in northwestern Spain, is celebrated worldwide as the final destination of the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. The city's architectural identity is deeply rooted in its UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center, where Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles converge. Iconic landmarks like the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and its surrounding plazas embody Spain's rich cultural and spiritual legacy, forming the heart of this timeless urban fabric.

In recent decades, Santiago has evolved into a hub for contemporary architectural exploration, blending its historic charm with modern interventions. Projects such as Eisenman Architects' City of Culture reflect an ambitious dialogue between avant-garde design and Galicia's natural landscape. Complementing this are works by Álvaro Siza Vieira, Arata Isozaki, Francisco Mangado, and other renowned architects, who incorporate local materials and forms into forward-thinking designs. Together, these works position Santiago de Compostela as a dynamic architectural destination within Spain's broader cultural narrative.

+ 18

Alto Residencial Coop / Carbajo Barrios Arquitectos

September 13, 2024

+ 31

Architects: Carbajo Barrios Arquitectos
Area: 5463 m²
Year: 2023

Renovation of the Espellos Building Envelope / Díaz y Díaz Arquitectos

February 26, 2024

+ 21

Architects: Díaz y Díaz Arquitectos
Year: 2023
Manufacturers: Thermochip, Trinasolar

Conjunto Cornes Espacio Residencial / Carbajo Barrios Arquitectos

December 22, 2022

+ 44

Architects: Carbajo Barrios Arquitectos
Area: 28500 m²
Year: 2022
Manufacturers: BANDALUX

Camino de Santiago Trek French Arrival Ramp / CREUSeCARRASCO Arquitectos

September 04, 2022

+ 7

Architects: CREUSeCARRASCO Arquitectos
Area: 333 m²
Year: 2020
Manufacturers: iGuzzini, Granichan
Professionals: Manuel Moure / David Pardiña PROYFE

Santiago de Compostela Bus Station / IDOM

May 10, 2022

+ 32

Architects: IDOM
Area: 95476 ft²
Year: 2021
Manufacturers: EQUITONE, Acciona, Ascensores Enor, CUBREGAL, Cortizo, +8Inasus, Mosaicos Solana, Orona S. Coop., Rendal, Rinol Rocland Suesco, Rodiñas Pretensados, Textiles Estructurales, thyssenkrupp-8

House Between Party Walls / Ansede Quintáns, arquitectos

April 28, 2022

+ 16

Architects: Ansede Quintáns, arquitectos
Area: 180 m²
Year: 2020
Manufacturers: Cielo, Mutina, Rebordelo, Segundo Rey, SieroLam, +1Verea-1

Transformation of Offices Into Four Apartments / Ansede Quintáns, arquitectos

April 25, 2022

+ 19

Architects: Ansede Quintáns, arquitectos
Area: 400 m²
Year: 2020
Manufacturers: Technal, Galparquet, MARAZZI, Segundo Rey

High-Speed Station, Pedestrian Walkway and Clara Campoamor Square / Estudio Herreros

November 25, 2021

+ 21

Architects: Estudio Herreros
Area: 379428 ft²
Year: 2021
Professionals: Prointec, BACBCG, Berga & González

Architectural Adventures: Through Portugal and Northern Spain Architectural Tour

October 16, 2017

Immerse yourself in the cultural and architectural heritage of Portugal and Northern Spain on a once-in-a-lifetime 17-day journey with Architectural Adventures. From historic Lisbon to vibrant Barcelona, visit and explore 14 cities and 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites while enjoying world-class accommodations and fine regional dining. Sip Oporto’s famed port wine, see Santiago’s monumental cathedral, tour the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and see where the bulls run in Pamplona before traversing the breathtaking Pyrenees Mountains en route to Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.

Alvaro Siza’s Galician Center of Contemporary Art Through the Lens of Fernando Guerra

July 29, 2017

The following photo set by Fernando Guerra focuses on the Galician Center of Contemporary Art, a project by Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.

Located in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, the Galician Center for Contemporary Art was developed in 1993. Its declared horizontality and respect for the surrounding buildings and the urban structure are configured in the most remarkable gestures of this project. The solid and austere volumes form the boundaries of the area to the streets, with subtractions that make it accessible. The center has several permanent and temporary exhibition rooms, auditorium, library, cafeteria and administrative rooms.

House Between-Lines / OLAestudio

February 21, 2017

+ 9

Architects: OLAestudio
Area: 168 m²
Year: 2016
Manufacturers: Cortizo, Finsa, Leroy Merlín
Professionals: CONSALPA

White Elephants: Over-Budget, Unsuccessful, and Embarrassing Architecture Projects From Around the World

September 26, 2016

Not every piece of architecture can be an economic and social success. But there is one dreaded term reserved for only the mot wasteful of projects: "white elephants." The term comes from a story of the kings of Siam, now Thailand, who would reportedly gift sacred albino elephants to courtiers they didn't like. Refusing the gift from the king would have been unacceptable, but being sacred, these animals were forbidden from work, leading the courtier to financial ruin—a fact the kings knew all too well.

Of course, in architecture the term "white elephant" is used frequently to disparage certain projects, and whether a project is deserving of such infamy is usually a matter of perspective. Often eyesores or reminders of poorly spent funds, these projects refuse to be forgotten despite few wanting to remember them. Dotted around the world and across history, they all have the same thing in common: although they may (or may not) have once looked good on paper, they probably should have just stayed on paper.