American actor Brad Pitt recently took a quick trip to northern Spain to visit the Niemeyer Cultural Center and look into the progress of the Aviles Island of Innovation. The project is a major urban redevelopment of this port city on the Atlantic coast of the country. Pitt is interested in sustainability and innovative architecture and the Island of Innovation is working to transform the old industrial port into a dynamic destination for innovative companies, workers and residents.
The Oscar Niemeyer Cultural Center is the driving force behind the innovative project, which will transform the banks of the estuary into a modern city for all. This is the first work created in Spain by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and aims “to become an international reference point in the production of cultural content; a space dedicated to education and culture,” according to the organization’s description.
The Niemeyer Center will have an auditorium for 1,000 visitors, a viewing point to see the estuary and the city and a multi-use building with cinema, meeting areas and more. The city of Aviles and the surrounding area are working together to improve infrastructure and transportation for new and existing residents. The city is also providing retraining programs for workers and residents to keep talented people in the area.
On his visit, Mr. Pitt was accompanied by the director of the Oscar Niemeyer Foundation, Natalio Grueso and the Aviles culture secretary Mercedes Alvarez as well as Mayor Pilar Varela. The mayor noted of Mr. Pitt that “He’s interested in supporting the project in both its cultural and architectural aspects.”
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