Architectural Technologist Claudia reflects on three pieces of contemporary architecture which held her attention on a recent trip to Bilbao.

“On a recent trip to Bilbao, three pieces of architecture particularly stood out to me: the airport, the Zubizuri footbridge and, of course, the Guggenheim Museum.

“Bilbao Airport, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, is a very functional building, but one that rewards taking the time to look at it. Its bird-like form, large areas of glazing and central atrium bring a huge amount of natural light into the terminal.

“You get a particularly good sense of its shape when approaching by plane, but I also found myself looking up and taking it in while waiting for a flight. It is probably one of the nicest airport terminals I have been in, largely because of that light and sense of space.

“Another Calatrava design can be found in the city centre. The Zubizuri footbridge spans the Nervión River, with a gently curved deck beneath a large white arch, connected by steel cables. Together they create a distinctive, almost sail-like shape over the river.

“What appealed to me was that I came across it simply because I needed to cross the river. It is a striking piece of design by a well-known architect, but also a footbridge that people use every day.

“The third was the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry and probably the building most people already associate with Bilbao. Even if you do not go inside, walking around the exterior gives you a strong sense of the different forms and shapes that make up the building and how it sits alongside the river.

“The artworks are part of the experience too. Outside are Maman, the enormous spider sculpture, and Puppy, a huge dog formed from flowers and planting. Inside, The Matter of Time is a series of large metal structures that you can walk through. I particularly enjoyed the way those pieces make you think about space, distance and movement as you pass through them.

“What stayed with me was how easily all three became part of the trip. You arrive through the airport, cross the bridge while moving around the city and encounter the Guggenheim on the riverfront. Each has a different purpose, but all are worth taking a little extra time to notice.

“For anyone interested in architecture, Bilbao is definitely worth adding to their must-visit list.”