The New Italian Design

Detail of a piece seen in an installation in one of Bilbao's museums, the Alhondiga. Spain. ... more

by Pablo Lopez

Title

The New Italian Design

Artist

Pablo Lopez

Medium

Photograph - Digital Image

Description

Detail of a piece seen in an installation in one of Bilbao's museums, the Alhondiga. Spain.

Alhondiga Bilbao is a multi-purpose venue located in the city of Bilbao, Spain. It was designed by French designer Philippe Starck in collaboration with Thibaut Mathieu and was opened to the public in 2010. The venue, labeled as a "Culture and Leisure Centre", consist of a cinema multiplex, a fitness centre, a library, showrooms, an auditorium, shops, and a restaurant.

Originally a wine warehouse, it was designed by Basque architect Ricardo Bastida and inaugurated in 1909. However, in the 1970s, a new warehouse was planned and the Alhondiga was abandoned. Several projects were suggested, ranging from public housing, a museum of modern art, or even demolishing the entire building, but all were scrapped. Finally, in 1994 it was decided to renovate it and build a sports and culture centre. The Basque Government decided to declare the building "Public Property of Cultural Interest" in 1999.

Uploaded

April 24th, 2014