Rushing streams weave their way under azure skies through the green mountains surrounding Madrid, while Spain’s historic central plazas draw neighbourhoods together. These landscapes inspired the elegant fluidity and colour palette of Oasiz Madrid, a landscape and people-led, mixed-use retail destination designed foremost as a park.
Plans and Sketches | Copyright: Cracknell
Oasiz Madrid is set in Madrid’s Torrejón de Ardoz district, the 25-hectare site drives footfall by activating and connecting two visually interlinked lakes, surrounded by a layered landscape of wetlands, terraced decks, meeting plazas and entertainment spaces. Architecture floats lightly above this terrain, dissolving boundaries between the built and natural environment. The landscape supports cultural engagement and everyday recreation. Over 100,000 locally sourced, mature, large native trees and shrubs establish shade and microclimatic comfort across the site, their reflection animating the lakes. Sinuous paths guide visitors through the landscape in a flowing movement, punctuated by sensory gardens that concentrate taste, scent, sound and touch, creating immersive, multi-sensory experiences. The public realm forms a connected sequence of spaces that encourage interaction and discovery.An open-air stage, urban beach, sculptures, oversized beanbags, a zipline, hammocks and fountains provide playful moments and encourage informal gathering. At night, subtle LED lighting and interactive installations extend public use and promote safety and orientation along the water’s edge.
Commissioned by developer Compagnie de Phalsbourg, Oasiz Madrid reflects a vision to push the boundaries of what retail space can offer. Designed to accommodate 8 million visitors annually, including 3.5 million locally, the brief called for an innovative commercial environment with a fresh approach to maximising landscape-led green and open space. The goal was to create an active public realm that draws footfall while responding holistically to end-user needs and ecology. The result is a socially inclusive and environmentally responsible urban landscape – a commercial park and resort rather than a retail mall, and a landscape destination in its own right.
Innovative in concept and construction, Oasiz was designed to ensure a minimal carbon footprint from the outset. Planting was sourced locally from a palette of largely native species, selected at mature size to ensure strong visual impact and provide immediate shading and cooling benefits. These species reduce irrigation demands while supporting biodiversity. A 5,000 square metre green roof contributes to air purification and thermal regulation. The effect is amplified by active retail and F&B frontages with 8-metre-high glazing that borrow views of the revitalising landscape. A 2,000 square metre spill-out terrace further blurs the boundary between public and commercial space.
Thermal comfort was a key design consideration, particularly in response to Madrid’s hot, dry summers. Mature trees provide dense canopy cover, while lakes and moving water contribute to a cooling microclimate. Sustainable features include sedum-planted roof gardens irrigated by harvested rainwater, compressed bamboo decking, and wetland habitats that attract birds and improve site ecology. Lake water is recycled to supply firewater reserves, air conditioning systems and car park ventilation. Ten wind turbines and 8,000 square metres of photocatalytic panels generate power for lighting and systems, reducing grid demand by 40 percent in shared areas. All landscape materials were sourced locally, minimising transport emissions and supporting the regional economy. A BREEAM Excellent rating reflects the commitment to low-impact development.
To activate the landscape for a diverse crowd of all ages and to serve the local community, the landscape programme was designed to be both social and immersive. Three main character zones – Lake, Beach and Promenade – offer varied retail and leisure experiences. At the Lake, a hectare of open water provides boat trips, overhead zipline rides and a half-hourly fountain show. The Beach zone combines chill-out spaces with playful interventions: unstructured play areas, a mini-digger ‘construction site’ for children, and a wedding venue. Along the Promenade, a series of terraces, retail frontages and flexible gathering spaces create a rhythm of movement and rest, encouraging visitors to linger. A co-working hub diversifies the land-use and uses the biophilic setting to offer a stress-free working environment, while a cultural programme, including exhibitions and opera, activates the outdoor stage and large screen.
Oasiz Madrid is easily accessible by bus, train or metro, strengthening its role as a local asset and regional destination. The result is a new model of commercial landscape focused on ecological function and commercial activation, using landscape infrastructure to generate comfort, biodiversity and footfall. By attracting consistent visits and encouraging dwell time, it has created opportunities for new businesses, supported local employment and boosted tourism.
Oasiz is a new Madrid landmark, demonstrating how landscape infrastructure can bring people and nature together and encourage social activation within a commercial framework. This lifestyle destination is the largest of its kind in Spain, a regional draw and a civic catalyst. It stands as a visible benchmark for how landscape-led design can shape the future of civic and commercial environments.
Oasiz Madrid
Landscape Architects: Cracknell
Client / Developer: Compagnie de Phalsbourg
Local Lead Architect and Architect of Record: Cabeza Sastre
Horticultural and Landscape Consultants: Atelier Paul Arène
Lighting Designers: Delta Lighting Design
Photography: Alessandro Merati ©Cracknell (unless otherwise captioned)