* First Award COAM -ex aequo- (Official Professional Association of Architects of Madrid), 2017

* Finalist FAD Award, Category: Ephemeral Interventions, 2017

Carriage of the Madrid Council, parade of the Three Kings, Madrid

The carriages of the Three Kings are built as a kaleidoscope of lights and mirrors, a dynamic optical device that is activated by the motion of the vehicles, stimulating the citizens' perception. The sides, formed by reflective aluminium pyramids, multiply the points of light and their depth, creating a weightless sensation. At the top, Their Royal Highnesses and their Assistants stand on a longitudinal walkway that allows them to move during the parade. Platforms at the front and rear serve to stack the bags of sweets that will be handed out during the parade. The space for the utilities is concealed behind the reflective surfaces. Inside, the geometry of the pyramids opens up to allow for cross-ventilation of the generators. An acoustic strip is incorporated along the bottom edge of each unit, which project a series of musical pieces from their lands of birth towards the public, thus adding to the festive atmosphere.

Each of the carriages has a predominating colour that is nuanced with other shades, depending on the personality of each King: gold and indigo for Melchior, blue and purple for Caspar, pink and green for Balthazar. In addition, each carriage features a special effect related to their respective occupations: for Melchior, golden confetti is launched high up into the air as a symbol of astronomy and gold. In Caspar’s carriage, smoke is produced to represent alchemy and incense. Balthazar’s carriage blows water bubbles, as a reference to botany and myrrh. The textures and colours of the props and the clothing of the Royal Entourage accompanying the carriages are coordinated with the unit as a whole. 

The size and height of the carriages is set by a study of the visual elements of the roads. In order to ensure that as many children as possible can see—whether they are in the front row, at the back, or in the stands—the height of the carriages is raised as high as possible. Furthermore, the volume of the carriages is set in relation with the urban scale, creating links with the most important streets, squares, buildings, etc, of the city of Madrid, as well as with a TV scale. The parade also makes its way onto the screens of millions of televisions around the world.

* First Award COAM -ex aequo- (Official Professional Association of Architects of Madrid), 2017

* Finalist FAD Award, Category: Ephemeral Interventions, 2017

Carriage of the Madrid Council, parade of the Three Kings, Madrid

Dreams. In the two senses of the word. The carriages are part of a magical day that is full of hopes and dreams. Moreover, they are devices that create sensory illusions.

What you see is not what it seems.

Kinetic device. The carriages form kinetic optical devices that are activated with their slow motion, creating a changing perception during the itinerary.

Now you see it, now you don’t.

Efficient geometry. Every light bulb is multiplied at least eight times as it is mirrored on each of the seventy-six pyramids, creating a constellation formed by 3600 points of light.

You see more than what there is.

Low consumption. The amount of energy used during the whole parade is equivalent to that used to bake a Three Kings’ cake.

Lower consumption, improved performance.

Kaleidoscope of lights and bodies. Fragments of images of the city and surrounding bodies are reflected and multiplied on the mirror surfaces.

Virtual images, architectural material.

Democratic device. The carriages rise to their maximum possible height, so as to guarantee they can be seen by children on both sides of the street.

Strategic gazes.

Mediated architecture

Lightness. The carriages are built in a light material that allows for quick assembly.

Enormous but light.

* First Award COAM -ex aequo- (Official Professional Association of Architects of Madrid), 2017

* Finalist FAD Award, Category: Ephemeral Interventions, 2017

Carriage of the Madrid Council, parade of the Three Kings, Madrid

• Architects:
• elii - Uriel Fogué, Eva Gil, Carlos Palacios

• Team leader:
• elii - Ana López

• Team:
• elii - Ana Castaño + Claudia Pérez 

• Design team for the 2016 parade:
• Maral Kekejian, María Jerez, Jorge Dutor, Laura Millán, David Picazo, Oswaldo Terrones, Ignacio Buhigas y elii

• Construction:
• Scnik

• Fotography and video:
• Miguel de Guzmán, Rocío Romero
• www.imagensubliminal.com

• Surface area:
• 104,4m2

• Date:
• 2016

• Location:
• Madrid