Isozaki Atea, Office building in Bilbao, Spain
Isozaki Atea consists of two identical glass towers reaching 83 meters high, connected by a monumental staircase that links different city levels. The complex combines commercial spaces on the lower floors with residential units above, creating a mixed-use environment.
Construction took place between 2004 and 2008, marking a pivotal moment in Bilbao's riverside transformation. Its completion significantly shaped the modern development of the city center and fundamentally changed the appearance of the Ensanche district.
The name honors its architect and the site functions as a pedestrian connector between different neighborhoods, with public spaces that draw visitors naturally through the complex. This role has made it a meeting point where people shop, rest, and pass through on their way elsewhere.
The building is equipped with elevators and provides easy access to its various functional areas for both visitors and residents. The central location with connecting staircases makes it a natural passageway for people moving between neighborhoods.
The wide opening between the two towers was deliberately designed to evoke famous European plazas and give visitors a sense of spaciousness. This broad gap of more than 70 meters lets pedestrians see the sky above and feel open despite the building height.
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