Salamanca is one of the most unique cities in Spain, featuring a completely preserved medieval town core and home one of the oldest universities in Europe. The goal of the project was to create a retail entertainment destination incorporating the latest tenants, planning, and technology that would complement the elegant pedestrian-scaled city.

The design strategy included creating new amenities to complement the dense urban environment including a variety of gardens, parking, and open dining terraces oriented towards the Tormes River and stunning views of the skyline.  The intimate scale of the medieval city influenced the design, with its series of overlapping stonewalls and glass towers. 

The interior, inspired by the University courtyards, contains sequences of gardens and fountains.  This design features dramatic vertical glass courtyards that create focal points throughout the large complex.  A series of frosted glass words from local poets are etched on the courtyards, reminiscent of the local tradition of painting delicate calligraphy on the ancient walls. 

Salamanca is also famous for her bridges.  This tradition has been interpreted with a delicate glass and steel bridge at each entrance, providing a dramatic focal point for lighting at night.  The selection of materials bridges old and new, using the local golden sandstone punctuated by a contemporary system of glass and steel.