IN SHORT
As Calatrava's immense City of Arts and Sciences has taken shape, it became evident that the complex needs a multi-functional space, capable of accommodating large amount of audience and versatile enough to host various different types of events and activities. Calatrava therefore proposed the construction of a Agora on a site between the Sawmill Bridge and the City of Arts and Sciences' Oceanographic building.
A diaphanous large hall, built of steel arches and a roof with glass will be crowned with a movable structure that controls the natural light and endows the otherwise horizontal building with a vertical component. This large hall will be raised slightly above the ground level. Underneath the large hall will be a lower level with seats of up to 6000 audiences as well as space for VIP rooms, dressing rooms, toilets, shops and in-house office facilities. The Agora has a total gross surface area of 4900 square meters (52,744 square feet) and will rise to a height of 70 meters (230 feet). The diameter of its major axis is 88 meters (289 feet) and the diameter of the minor axis is 66 meters (216 feet). The Agora's form is geometric and abstract on drawing plan, whilst anthropomorphic and concrete in section. The building is designed in such a way that these two readings are distinct and yet complementary.
YEAR
2005 - 2009
ADDRESS
Av del Profesor Lopez Piñero, 7
46013 Valencia