Metropol Parasol - Digital Timber Design

A Shading Structure for Seville

The redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnación and the design of the unique free formed timber mega structure “Metropol Parasol” (Fig. 1.1) started with a design competition in 2004. The aim was to provide a new underground museum for the newly excavated roman mosaics, space for shops and the original market tands at ground floor level and a public plaza at 5 m above ground, including bars and a restaurant. The Berlin architect Jürgen Mayer H. together with the engineers of Arup submitted the winning scheme. Most visible is the huge timber structure resembling six merging mushrooms of up to 28 m in height and 150 m in total length, which provide the shading for the new centre point of urban live. Meandering walkways on top of the parasols and a restaurant at 21,5 m above ground invite tourists to enjoy the view on the old town.