The Architectural Version Of 'Extreme Makeover'

What happens when 23 architects are asked to collaborate on a single hotel in Madrid?

1 minute read

January 21, 2005, 1:00 PM PST

"It is generally assumed that architects have egos as large as their buildings. But what of the man who commissions a collection of these design professionals to complete just one building? Whether Pablo Couto and Antón Iraculis of Grupo Urvasco, who have taken on a total of 23 architects and designers to create a hotel in Madrid, are egomaniacs or boundless dreamers is not entirely clear, but their project, Hotel Puerta América, has not stinted on either the quantity or quality of its architectural players.

The longer story, though, is an architectural version of Extreme Makeover. Hotel Puerta América was designed and built as the sort of structure you see lurking around airports everywhere - an uneventful, less-than-elegant block panelled in metal. The architectural fantasy factor came later."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Ego alert

Thursday, January 20, 2005 in The Guardian Unlimited

Architecture United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.