joel filipe photographically explores the 'city of arts and sciences' in valencia

known for his sublime and often mystical documentation of spanish architecture, photographer joel filipe returns with a focus on architect santiago calatrava‘s famous ‘city of arts and sciences’ in valencia.

the city of arts and sciences by santiago calatrava is a renowned cultural and architectural complex in the city of valencia, constructed in 1996 on the former riverbed of turia. ‘following catastrophic flooding in 1957, the river was diverted in the southern section of the city and the old riverbed, now dry, was used to create a ten kilometre long park crossing the city centre. there, it was decided to locate the new complex on flat land, at the right bank of the final stretch of what was once the river turia’, as explained by the members of the city of arts and sciences. through this photographic series, filipe seeks to capture the white purity and harmony created by the overall bold style of calatrava — calling the center the ‘city of lights’. 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom