The Alcázar-Genil Granada metro station, designed by architect Antonio Jiménez Torrecillas and executed by Ferrovial Agroman in a joint venture (UTE) with UCOP, received the Opinion prize in the 59th edition of the Premios de Fomento de las Artes Decorativas (Awards for Promotion of the Decorative Arts, FAD) on 29th June.
One of the station’s most outstanding aspects is the integration in its design of the archaeological remains uncovered during construction, which were classified as an ‘Asset of Cultural Interest’ (BIC). These remains of an Almohad water tank from the 13th-century Genil Palace (Alcázar) motivated a full restructuring of the station’s architectural design for their inclusion. The architectural ambition was to bring the two styles together: 13th century Almohad engineering with the modern style of the 21st century, both accomplished using cutting-edge technology of the period.
The jury for the awards declared:
‘The built elements of this excavated station appear in deliberate contrast with the original character of the earth – just what is absolutely necessary, naked elements, currently dispossessed of anything superfluous – yet elegant in the selection and nobility of the materials used and the details provided. Darkness as in a cave, with occasional beams of natural light which highlight the project’s intelligent strategy: the solid, abstract ground seems to float amidst the texture and relief of the rocks. The works identify the beauty of a moment and freeze it in time, skilfully integrating the remains of the 13th century Almohad water tank into the project.”This 2017 edition of the FAD Awards received 463 submissions, 371 of which in the Architecture and Interior Design category, 64 in the Critical and Creative Thinking category, and 28 for the International FAD Awards. Section 2.II. of the Granada underground network, one of two carried out by Ferrovial Agroman and the section in which this station is located, is technically the most complex of the entire Granada underground line. This section of the line crosses under the River Genil near the station and continues under the Violón Boulevard underpass, also built as part of this same project. The Granada metro system is nearly 17km long and will notably transform public transport in Granada’s metropolitan area (for a population of over 500,000). With an investment of over 500 million euros, including civil works, railway facilities and mobile equipment, it has also included external renovation of the buildings along its route. Entry into service is planned for the coming weeks.
