Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) presented the project for its new Madrid headquarters December 6 at an act attended by city mayor, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, and the Bank’s Chairman & CEO, Francisco González. The new complex will be located in Las Tablas, a fast-growing area in the north of the capital city. Sustainability and innovation are key aspects of this project, which has been created by architects Herzog & de Meuron.

The project contemplates a carpet, a square and a tall disc-shaped building that all underpin its uniqueness and emblematic nature. BBVA’s new headquarters which will cover an area of 100,000 square meters above ground, will be operational in 2011, when some of the 6,500 BBVA employee’s in Madrid will start to move in.

In addition to its aesthetic and architectural uniqueness, BBVA’s new headquarters in Madrid will have two other key features: a clear bet for the environment and sustainability and the creation of an accessible and friendly space, making wide use of technologies and communication tools to facilitate the personal and professional development of BBVA employees.

In regard to the environment, BBVA’s headquarters will hold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, which will have significant ramifications in the area of environmental efficiency. The project envisages energy savings of 30%, a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, 30 to 50% lower usage of water and 70% savings in waste treatment. This commitment to protecting the environment forms part of the Group’s global environmental efficiency plan unveiled several weeks ago, the main objective of which is to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% to 2012.

Secondly, the new headquarters is a fundamental tool for incorporating cultural change into new working methods, increased flexibility and a more collaborative environment. The objective is to improve the professional and personal quality of life for BBVA employees, through a headquarters which is easily accessible (public transport/private parking) and offers a working environment that is friendly (horizontal, natural light, green areas and services) and efficient (technology, collaborative, flexible).

© Herzog & de Meuron. Excerpt from the Press Release from December 12, 2008.