CaixaForum

Welcome to CaixaForum, a striking beacon of contemporary culture that stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity and urban transformation right here on Madrid’s famous Paseo del Prado. You are currently gazing at what was once a grand industrial structure, the Central Eléctrica del Mediodía, a power station that energized a growing Madrid at the dawn of the 20th century. Built between 1900 and 1904, its sturdy, red-brick walls bear witness to an era when this very spot pulsed with the raw energy of urban development, providing electricity to the bustling streets and emerging industries of the capital. Preserving this industrial heritage was paramount, yet integrating it into a dynamic cultural center required a vision far beyond mere renovation. Enter the acclaimed Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, who embarked on a truly audacious transformation. What you see before you is a masterful dialogue between past and present. They took the original brick shell and, with a stroke of genius, made it appear to defy gravity. Notice how the entire building seems to float above ground level. This extraordinary illusion was achieved by excavating the lower part of the site, removing the heavy stone plinth that once anchored the power station, and creating new subterranean entrances and exhibition spaces. This ingenious intervention not only preserves the historic façade but also opens up the area, inviting you into a bright, open public plaza beneath the suspended volume.