Reimagining Alcalá 31 by Lluís Alexandre Casanovas Blanco

 

Alcalá 31’s Extreme Makeover, led by Lluís Alexandre Casanovas Blanco, reimagines the exhibition space within Madrid’s historic Alcalá 31 Exhibition Hall. Inspired by the exhibition Juan Muñoz: Everything I See Will Outlive Me, curated by Manuel Segade, the project aims to enhance the hall’s original features. Housed within the former Banco Mercantil building, designed by architect Antonio Palacios and now part of the Madrid Region’s Cultural Department, the exhibition spotlights Muñoz’s later works. The interplay between Muñoz’s sculptures and the architectural setting sparked a reevaluation, prompting efforts to recover Palacios’ design. By leveraging resources allocated for temporary exhibitions, the project focuses on improving access, circulation, and integrating administrative functions to enhance the hall’s permanent atmosphere.

lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charm
all images by José Hevia

 

 

Alcalá 31’s Extreme Makeover brings back the original charm

 

Since its establishment in 1943, the Banking Operations Room in the former Banco Mercantil building, designed by Palacios, connected Alcalá Avenue with Caballero de Gracia Street. However, after the Madrid Region began renting the space in 2002, various changes were made to convert it into a contemporary ‘white box’ museum, obscuring its original spatial qualities. These alterations included dividing walls, blocking natural light sources, implementing security measures, and covering marble pillar bases. Alcalá 31’s Extreme Makeover by Lluís Alexandre Casanovas Blanco addresses previous alterations by initiatives like installing a large window to restore natural light and the street connection envisioned by Palacios. It also involves removing subdivisions to reveal the marble pillar bases and simplifying access by integrating the elevator area into the exhibition hall. Additionally, a more intuitive circulation layout benefits visitors and Madrid Region staff. Upstairs, curtains guide movement, allowing visitors to navigate the space easily. This project celebrates Palacios’ original vision, making the building an ideal setting for contemporary art, diverging from the conventional ‘white box’ approach.

lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charm
a large window restores natural light

lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charm
the makeover reveals marble pillar bases within the space

lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charmAlcalá 31’s extreme makeover succeeds in revitalizing the exhibition hall while honoring its architectural heritage

lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charmthe project focuses on improving access, circulation, and integrating administrative functions to enhance the hall’s atmosphere lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charm - 1  lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charm - 2a series of curtains facilitates navigation

lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charm - 3 lluís alexandre casanovas blanco restores alcalá 31 exhibition hall to its original charm - 4   

 

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project info:

 

name: Alcalá 31’s Extreme Makeover

architect: Lluís Alexandre Casanovas Blanco | @lluis.alexandre.casanovas
exhibition curator: Manuel Segade Lodeiro
client: Comunidad de Madrid
collaborators: Francisco Téllez Buitrago, Matteo Caro, Enrique Sanz-Gadea

photography: José Hevia