Iconic mushroom

At time designs make you feel lost, not from excess of space but from excess design. Visiting the Metropol Parasol   in Seville felt like being on a trip, and not being sure it was a good one. The design by J. Mayer H. Architects is impressive in terms of size and fascinating to look at with all the curves and squares. It makes for great architectural photographs. That is, if you manage to keep its surroundings out of the picture. The absence of any relationship with the surrounding buildings and not very subtle shape makes it scream ‘I am the new icon of Seville’. 

Although it is one of the largest bonded wood constructions in the world this is completely hidden by a polyurethane coating. No doubt increasing the durability but at the cost of the friendliness of the imposing structure. 

Being just recently opened it already became a focal point of the city. The large stairs proved to be the perfect stage for the recent demonstrations. A literal stage, with escalators next to the stair full of protestors allowing bystanders to stand still and stare while moving up and down. Architecture turning reality into some sort of huge TV show.