Mecanoo | La Llotja de Lleida

The Dutch architects team called Mecanoo recently completed a stone-clad theatre and congress centre in Llerida, Spain, and the building as an architectural object is far from regular or unnoticeable. It’s not the outrageous consoles, the placement in the city, nor the outer skin composed of  multi-color tiles, but it’s the feeling that you get when you’re close to the composition. It just feels right. It’s been a while since I said that about something.

Mecanoo La Llotja de Lleida

Project Info :

Design: 2004-2005
Execution: 2006-2010
Client: Centre de Negocis i de Convencions S.A., Lleida, Spain; competition Municipality of Lleida
Local architect: labb arquitectura, Barcelona
Contractor: Dragados, Barcelona
Structural engineer: ABT bv, Delft; BOMA, Barcelona
Advisor acoustics: Peutz b.v., Zoetermeer; Higini Arau, Barcelona
Electrical and Mecanical engineer: Deerns, Rijswijk; Einesa, Lleida
Technical architect: Ardevols S.L, Barcelona
Building cost consultant: Basalt Nieuwegein; Ardevols S.L. Barcelona
Fire safety consultant: Einesa, Lleida
Building costs incl. installations: € 35,000,000 (2006)

Called La Llotja de Lleida, the building has a band of glazing at its widest point and a roof garden planted with creeping plants.

Mecanoo La Llotja

The bulk of the structure cantilevers out over the square below, sheltering the entrances.

The theatre interior features images of trees picked out in lights along the walls.

Mecanoo - La Llotja

Elsewhere in the centre walls are white plaster and flooring is made of marble or wood.

Mecanoo - La Llotja

And here you have a sneak peak inside the awesome new theatre.

Mecanoo - La Llotja inside the theatre

Photos are copyright Christian Richters/VIEW.

For further reading and images check DZN