Wednesday March 23rd 2010, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain officially opened La Llotja de Lleida theatre and congress centre.  Mayor Àngel Ros and architect Francine Houben guided the King and Queen through this prestigious project in Catalunya designed by Mecanoo architecten in collaboration with Labb arquitectura. The multifunctional complex will function 24 hours a day transforming Lerida into a cultural and congress hub. The spectacular main theatre hall has a dramatic atmosphere of an orchard with walls of dark wood in which trees of light are carved cut out. Thousands of leaves on the ceiling light the hall. The colour palette of fruit – the region of Lleida is famous for its fruit production – is a theme that recurs in small details throughout the building. La Llotja is inspired by the Spanish climate with wide cantilevers providing protection against the sun in the summer and rain in the winter. A lush vegetation covered pergola on the roof provides shadow to the terrace below, yet another opportunity for an outdoor living.  

Mayor Àngel Ros: “We are proud to present La Llotja de Lleida to the King and Queen.  The theatre and congress centre provide a cultural and economical boost to the city. I thank Francine Houben for the beautiful Palacio she has designed.”

Francine Houben, director of Mecanoo architecten: “It is wonderful how the building is being embraced by the people of Lerida. The performance of the Il Trovatore opera earlier this year proved the excellent acoustics of the theatre hall. For me personally the official opening by the King and Queen of Spain is the crowning of the project.”

See the movie

Programme: theatre and congress centre of 37,500 m2 with a theatre hall (1,000 seats), also functioning as a congress hall,  2 congress halls (400 and 200 seats), a multifunctional space, 2 foyers, 9,500 m2 of parking, lounge, terraces, a public square of 15,325 m2, Mercolleida office and retail of 2,591 m2

competition
design: 2004-2005
architect: Mecanoo architecten, Delft
structural engineer: ABT b.v., Delft
acoustics consultant: Peutz b.v., Zoetermeer
electrical and mechanical engineer: Deerns Raadgevende Ingenieurs bv, Rijswijk
costs consultant: Basalt Bouwkostenadvies b.v., Nieuwegein

project realisation
design: 2005-2006
execution: 2006-2010
architect: Mecanoo architecten, Delft in collaboration with Labb arquitectura S.L, Barcelona 
contractor: UTE Dragados + Obrum, Barcelona
structural engineer: BOMA, Barcelona 
acoustics consultant: Higini Arau, Barcelona 
electrical and mechanical engineer :Einesa Ingenieria S.L., Lleida 
technical architect: J/T Ardèvol i Associats S.L, Barcelona
costs consultant: J/T Ardèvol i Associats S.L, Barcelona
security and fire safety consultant: Einesa Ingenieria S.L., Lleida 
project manager: Eptisa S.A. Direcció Integrada, Barcelona
building costs: €35 million

For more information
Marie-Anne Souloumiac
Public Relations
Mecanoo architecten
+31 (0) 15 2798100
pr@mecanoo.nl