MSA

MSA is a project for the reorganization and interior reform of the San Antón Municipal Market in Madrid.

Unlike other market structures in Madrid such as Vallehermoso Market or San Miguel Market, traditional market places that have undergone a modernization process of their old buildings, the San Antón Market boasts a contemporary container – a newly built structure inaugurated in 2011 with recognized architectural quality – and a proposal primarily focused on gastronomy. However, the Merchant Association, sensing a change in interest from its audience, more inclined towards mixed situations between buying local products and gastronomic consumption, initiates an architecture competition by invitation to revitalize the market’s interior and align it with current demands.

Our proposal, the winner of this competition, suggests as the main intervention the revitalization of the market’s central core, transforming it into a grand square – a gathering space, a hub of activity and exchange. To achieve this, a central structure is proposed to house the majority of the market stalls. A core centered on the product, aimed at reestablishing the market as the primary focus. The proposed structure brings together multiple market stalls through the use of a continuous element, adapting into a counter, a bar, a display case, or a showcase according to the needs of each stall and product. A piece of contemporary design based on traditional forms, elements, and materials like granite or stainless steel, commonly chosen for their durability and hygiene conditions.

This structure is complemented by a shared closing element that symbolically serves as a hinge between the market for fresh products (more daytime-oriented) and the gastronomic market (more nighttime-oriented). It consists of a series of six counterbalanced closures, made with folded welded mesh, which functions as a liftable sign, displaying the products available when the stall is open, and an elevated sign, acting as an icon and reference point during traditional market closure hours while the gastronomic market is in full swing. This gesture not only aims to concentrate attention and main activity on the first floor but also intends to solve the circulation problems posed by the previous layout, organized within perimeter galleries.

On the other hand, to intervene in the circulation and exterior spaces of the lateral stalls, we primarily worked on the aesthetic and material redefinition of each stall’s counters and signs, reclaiming the materiality and solutions inherent to fresh produce markets: backlit signs made from translucent cellular polycarbonates, stainless steel counters, and even the recovery and valorization of characteristic market hanging bars. In line with this a family of luminaries made from corrugated galvanized sheet was designed to reinforce the material continuity, acting as a reflective false ceiling for common areas.

The new interior structure works were carried out without completely closing the space for a single day, which demanded the project to be broken down into many small components that could be prefabricated for easy and quick installation in the market.

MSA was designed and built by BURR (E.Fuertes, R.Martínez, A.Molins, J.Sobejano) in Madrid in 2020. Amanda Bouzada, Jesús Meseguer and Pablo Navas were part of the team. Fast&Furious and GyC Espacios were in charge of the construction. Arkilum was in charge of the lighting. Food and beverage consultant: Ansón y Bonet.  License consultant: García de los Muros. Graphic design by Tres Tipos Gráficos.  Illustrations by Jay Daniel Wright.

The outcome was photographed by Maru Serrano and Juan Rayos.