Project Description
Children’s City: Interactive Learning Center
Madrid, Spain
Bechtel was engaged by the Department of Infrastructure and Public Works of the City of Madrid to provide technical assistance in the planning and design of a major interactive learning center to be developed on a 20-acre parcel located in the Casa de Campo Park in
Madrid. The project included a main building of 18,000 M2 with gallery/exhibition spaces, an OMNIMAX Theater, bookstore, restaurant, classrooms, and administrative spaces. Additional outdoor display and activity areas included a greenhouse, amphitheater and snackbar, and several gardens, one featuring a maze and another presenting water exhibits. An observation tower was designed as both a highly visible symbol for the facility as well as to present several exhibits and displays relating to vision, perception, and communications. The Exploratorium, the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception located in San Francisco, California, prepared an inventory of exhibits to be included in the project, many of which were new concepts developed specifically for the Madrid project by The Exploratoium’s educators and artists.
Bechtel provided services in the following areas:
Master Plan & Design
- Review of experience at existing children’s facilities in North America and Europe.
- Site analysis and identification of opportunities and constraints.
- Preparation of conceptual Site layout, including circulation, services, and landscaping concepts.
- Preparation of preliminary operations concept, including staffing and architectural programming.
- Preparation of schematic architectural and engineering designs for all buildings and facilities
Exhibits Study
- Preparation of inventory of exhibits, including description of operational features, services requirements, and cost parameters.
- Conceptual design of new exhibits to meet requirements of Madrid project.
Role: Project Manager – Concept and A/E Design Phases
