Isabel Iglesias
Europe Press Office, Spain
The Madrid EDITION, a 5-star luxury hotel and a branch of the most exclusive brand of Marriott International, opened its doors on 15 March in Madrid’s Plaza de las Descalzas. Over the past 6 years, Arup has worked on the refurbishment of the former pawnshop, located in the historic centre of the capital.
The building, which houses 200 rooms and suites, has been completely renovated, although a large 18th century baroque portal, the work of artist Pedro de Ribera, has been preserved on the building’s façade. Five up market gastronomic spaces have also been inaugurated, including two restaurants, a cocktail and sky bar, and a rooftop terrace by the outdoor swimming pool.
Arup worked closely with the architects to deliver a sleek, modernist design through combining total transparency with high thermal and acoustic performance. For the existing facades, a solution-cladding was designed to solve the openings with a high-quality industrialized system that is quick to install. A steel curtain wall with large glazed panels makes up the lobby façade, while the envelope of the penthouse has been completely renovated with an ad hoc curtain wall solution that integrates the elegance of the architectural design with high performance values.
Arup's services included facilities engineering, façade consulting, acoustics, fire safety, traffic, security and mobility study. The firm also led on the sustainability and energy consulting, including the coordination of the LEED certification process, which seeks to achieve the Gold level, minimizing energy and water consumption. The materials selected allow us to eliminate sources of pollution and offer a high quality experience for users.
