30-31 / Bilbao

Welcome to our Bilbao issue. This issue explores the remarkable transformation of the city and the goals and needs driving it. Through insightful essays, personal photo essays, failed projects, exceptional successes, and open interviews, this issue provides a comprehensive look at a metamorphosis whose scope and complexity goes far beyond the construction of a single renowned building.
Contributions by Ibon Areso, Diana Balmori, Eduardo Belzunce, José Luis Burgos, Cini Boeri Architetti, Carlos Copertone, Juan Luis de las Rivas, Luis Diaz-Mauriño, Patxi Eguiluz, García de la Torre Arquitectos, Juan García Millán, Iker Gil, IDOM, JAAM, James Stirling Michael Wilford & Associates, Koldo Lus Arana, Elena Martínez-Litago, Ruth Mayoral López, Meneo, NO.MAD, Aitor Ortiz, Lucía C. Pérez-Moreno, Fidel Raso, Tomás Ruiz, Juan Sádaba, Diego Sanz, Patricia Sanz Lacarra, Koldo Serra, Alfonso Vegara, Yosigo, Zaha Hadid Architects, and John Zils.
With postcards by graphic design studios Meneo, Eider Corral, Vudumedia, Hopper Ink, and La Machine.
Cover and graphic design by Meneo.
Issue 30-31 Introduction
Issue statement by Iker Gil, editor in chief of MAS ContextChronology
Chronology by Iker GilBehind the Bilbao Effect
An Overnight Success in 20 Years
Essay by Koldo Lus Arana20th Century Architecture
Through the Lenses of Seven Projects
Text and selection by García de la Torre Arquitectos. Illustrations by Meneo.The American Houses of Bilbao
Essay by Patxi Eguiluz and Carlos Copertone. Photographs by Carlos Copertone.A Bastion of Design
Project by Cini Boeri ArchitettiBilbao and the Magazine Nueva Forma
Essay by Lucía C. Pérez-Moreno and Elena Martínez-LitagoThe Vizcaya Amusement Park
A Story of Broken Dreams
Essay by Tomás Ruiz. Photographs by Yosigo.Turning Point One
1983 FloodingBilbao’s Strategic Evolution:
The Metamorphosis of the Industrial City
Essay by Ibon AresoThree Key Organizations:
Bilbao Metrópoli 30, BILBAO Ría 2000, and the
Bilbao Bizkaia Water ConsortiumMen of Steel in a Grey Landscape
Text and photographs by Fidel RasoApoptosis
Text and photographs by Carlos CopertoneThe Alhóndiga Cultural Center
and Other Architectural Dreams
Essay by Patricia Sanz Lacarra and Lucía C. Pérez-MorenoThe Abando Passenger Interchange
A Project Traveling Over Eighty Years
Project by James Stirling Michael Wildford & AssociatesMetro Bilbao
Essay by García de la Torre ArquitectosBuilding the Symbol of a Remarkable Transformation
Iker Gil interviews John ZilsTurning Point Two
Guggenheim Museum BilbaoSetting Up New Relationships Between City and Nature
Iker Gil interviews Diana BalmoriZigzags in Mina del Morro
Project by Project by Eduardo Belzunce Tormo, Luis Díaz-Mauriño, and Juan García MillánIDOM Offices
Project by IDOMLasesarre Football Stadium
Project by NO.MADJesús Galíndez Slope and Paul Casals Square
Project by IDOMReurbanization of the Nervión River Docks
Project by Juan Sádaba and José Luis BurgosThe Many Effects of the Guggenheim Effect
Essay by Koldo Lus AranaA Disappearing Bilbao
Essay by Patxi EguiluzA City in Film
Iker Gil interviews Koldo SerraBotxero Stores
Text and photographs by Diego SanzThe Second Strategic Plan for Bilbao
Essay by Ibon AresoLandscapes and Networks in the the City-Region
The Basque City
Essay by Alfonso Vegara and Juan Luis de Las RivasA Place in Transition
Essay by Iker Gil. Photographs by Aitor Ortiz.A New Zorrotzaurre
Project by Zaha Hadid ArchitectsPerfect Future
Essay by Ruth Mayoral LópezArchitects’ Role in the Future City
Essay by JAAMWords, Desires, and Memories
Text and photographs by Aitor OrtizPostcards from Bilbao
Postcards from Meneo, Eider Corral, Vudumedia, Hopper Ink, and La Machine