A xero-landscape project based on xero-landscaping techniques allows tackling the different surfaces surrounding the Financial City, transforming the large grassy meadows, which consume large amounts of water and fuel, into plots articulated by organic paths that remind us of agricultural landscapes, where grass crops and trees between them are anchored. The winding paths between the plant masses help to integrate the geometric plantation of the current trees, designed years ago by Luis Vallejo, a landscaping studio.

This project has revolved around the ideas of: monospecific crops, stands between farms, existing woodland and the use of xerophytic plants, adapted to the cold semi-arid climate of Madrid, allowing the creation of a totally sustainable agricultural landscape. Among the species, the grasses stand out, located under the olive trees, imitating rainfed crops, including other species in which priority to color has been given, as stands.

The paths drawn as capillaries, allow access to the different places, making it possible to combine the rapid passage to the buildings with the use of other surfaces. The new routes join the configured spaces, linking the different plots, promoting the use of surfaces for the enjoyment of Art through the sculptures of different artists, the enjoyment of nature, walks, sports and also resting; These activities lead to greater socialization of the different spaces, promoting all the existing resources.

The new plots end up configuring micro-spaces, allowing in the areas where the sculptures and singular trees are located, to put them in value by establishing new perspectives and relationships between them, improving the understanding of environmental sustainability, the environment and awareness of the ecosystem.

The project must be recognized in the LILA – Landezine International Landscape Award 2021 for achieving progress in the following handicaps: Transforming and achieving reversibility in the face of the previous model of great consumption of resources that allows a new way of understanding biodiversity, helping to raise awareness of the climate change and the environment.

To sort out a problem of traffic through this strategy, promenades and the lack of value of landscapes among users and visitors of the Financial City (9,500 people a day). Increase the relationship between users, the environment, and the art placed in the area.

Generate a more powerful green structure by increasing biodiversity.

Almost 8 hectares of lawns have been converted into plantations adapted to the climate and the soil.

The new project allows a large reduction in consumption: annual water savings, more than 70,000,000 L and a decrease in fossil fuels, more than 1,400 L. The semi-compacted aggregate road material maintains the permeability of the soil.

To ensure that a major and influential client such as Banco Santander looks towards the environment in a more sustainable and sensitive way, investing in new ways of approaching space, improving the quality of life of users, visitors, and the environment.

Project location: BOADILLA DEL MONTE (MADRID), SPAIN

Property: BANCO SANTANDER

Landscapers: DAVID AÑIBARRO AND LUIS APARICIO

Construction management: JUAN GARCIA CUENCA

Technical assistance: DAVID AÑIBARRO AND LUIS APARICIO

Photography: DAVID AÑIBARRO, MANUEL SANCHEZ, LUIS APARICIO, JAVIER GUTIERREZ AND BANCO SANTANDER

Construction company: RAGA GROUP

Design year: 2018 – 2019

Year Built: 2019

Surface: 78.000 m2 (7,8 ha)

Daily potential users: 9.800 people

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