The architect did not want to comment on completion dates, although everything
is pointed to it being for 2007.
It was announced today that work on the Villa Cultural de Prado, which will house the headquarters for the Symphonic Orchestra of Castilla and Leon, the High School for Drama, the Professional music conservatory and the Dance School, was making good progress. Ricardo Bofill, the architect of this complex said that the building is going to be unique, and that once it is completed the building will be a nice surprise. Bofill, accompanied by Silvia Clemente, the Councillor for Culture, and Francisco Javier Alvarez Guisasola of Education, visited the site today, which is now
three-quarters completed. Both Councillors commented on the complexity of such a project which combines culture and education all in the same place.
The architect did not want to give any clues regarding a completion date, although it is ear-marked for completion by the beginning of 2007. He went on to say that everything was now geared towards completing the building and getting it up and running. Bofill always likes to take some time once a project has been completed to oversee everything, and make sure that everything functions as it should.
He said ""you can not imagine how it will be, but that it will be a very pleasant surprise for all"". He assured us that the headquarters of the Symphonic Orchestra of Castilla and Leon (OSCYL), would have a high quality and special acoustic for each one of the music halls.
Regarding the design, Bofill emphasized the functional character of the building, saying it would be an emblematic building as it is not surrounded by other buildings which would condition the form of its construction, for which reason it is built very freely, designed to fit its functions, very minimalist, simple and pure.
He continued by saying ""it is a unique project, there will never be another like it as it cannot be duplicated"".
Alvarez Guisasola assured us that the opening of the complex would be as soon as everything was ready and working. Bofill finished by thanking the Junta of Castilla and Leon, saying that no-one, not even the politicians would dare to undertake a construction of such characteristics.
The building is situated between the ""Huerta del Rey ""district and ""Parquesol"" district. It has an estimated budget of 36 million euros. The Villa Cultural de Prado is an education centre, consisting of three individually designed buildings boasting independent entrances although the three are intercommunicated. This architectonic complex will house not only the OSCYL auditorium with seating for 2,200, and the camera music auditorium with seating for around 490, but also the headquarters for the Professional Music Conservatory, the Superior School for Drama Art and the Dancing High School. It will cover an area of 32,000 square metres and will be around 18 metres high.
02.02.2006 - lavanguardia.es
