At the heart of Madrid’s golden triangle of art, Remolino Del Retiro sits within the lobby at the iconic Mandarin Oriental Ritz.

We were commissioned by Art Consultancy Visto Images to reconfirm the identity of the Mandarin Oriental Ritz by celebrating its locality in a landmark sculpture which adorns the lobby of the newly refurbished luxury Belle Époque palace in Madrid’s famous Golden Triangle of Art.

The classic building was designed in 1908 by Charles Mewès and built in the period 1908-10 by Luis de Landecho, and is now reopened after an extensive refit to renew its former grandeur.

We created a sculpture to greet visitors with a sense of grace and delicacy, woven from local history, and displaying excellence through its material, form, light and narrative.

A plethora of floral forms are taken from the nearby Retiro botanical gardens, with the local species of Strawberry Tree that features on the Madrid crest of arms being recreated at the heart of the photo etched forms along with other regional species.

The layers of brass and nickel forms are carefully composed to create elaborate shadow play across the ceiling and floor below, with the brass elements representing the strawberry tree and other Mediterranean species in particular. As the day becomes night the shadows become stronger, spreading across the classical interior as if alive.

This representation of species with such a strong local resonance allows hotel staff to introduce this story to guests, establishing a firm sense of place and re-establishing the Ritz as a cultural landmark in Madrid, rooted in its surroundings.