An immense former wine cellar in Bilbao constructed in 1909 has, a century later, been transformed into a cultural and leaisure centre by the French Designer Philippe Starck. 

Three new buildings with well-proportioned brick façades and connecting bridges reminiscent of warehouse buildings have been constructed around public spaces and a huge atrium within the existing facades, at the top of which the grey shadows of swimmers can be seen through the bottom of the swimming pool that spans across two of the buildings along with a huge artwork in the form of a projection of the fiery sun.  

The new brick buildings are supported on 43 pillars, all designed as individual works of art with geometric shapes, lizard-like animals, climbing vines, fruit and foliage. There are echoes of Norman cathedrals with their massive but differently-carved pillars, The centre contains a media library, gym complex, cinemas, exhibition hall, theatre, shops, restaurant and an auditorium.

The facades outside have been restored and the new buildings break through the roofline.  All in all, a great reuse of an old historic building for modern uses with a touch of wit and fun.

‘What I love about this building is that it is the crystallisation of a need, following a certain type of philosophy and freedom. I am proud of this because it is not a monument to the glory of the incredible talent of this incredible designer Philippe Starck,” he says in a voice laden with irony. “It’s just a place where people can meet, love, hate, work, play, have fun, buy vegetables, have a kiss – things like that. I hope it will represent a new generation of architecture: economical with a big E, where the remarkable is born through the rigorous.”  (Philippe Starck)