The Plastic Museum / Delavegacanolasso

Architect: delavegacanolasso
Area: 74 m²
Year: 2021
Photographs: Imagen Subliminal (Miguel de Guzmán + Rocío Romero)
Client: Shackleton / esplasticos
Model: Maqgil, Gilberto Ruiz Lopes
City: Madrid
Country: Spain

The Plastic Museum, designed by delavegacanolasso in Madrid, is a 74 m² temporary installation built entirely from recyclable plastic. Completed in 2021, it was assembled in just two days and dismantled for recycling after 10 days. Located near the Reina Sofia National Museum, this project was part of an awareness campaign promoting responsible plastic use. The museum’s design emphasizes recyclability, structural efficiency, and transparency while presenting a minimalist, formal aesthetic that contrasts with typical temporary installations.

The Plastic Museum, is a temporary structure designed by delavegacanolasso that stands near Madrid’s Reina Sofia National Museum. Developed as part of a broader campaign to promote responsible plastic usage, the 74 m² museum was fully prefabricated from recyclable materials, assembled within two days, and dismantled after a 10-day exhibition period for complete recycling. The project’s intention was to showcase the versatility and sustainable possibilities of plastic in construction, emphasizing its environmental potential.

Unlike many temporary installations, the design of The Plastic Museum aimed for a more formal and permanent aesthetic. The architects leveraged plastic’s key characteristics—recyclability, structural efficiency, and transparency—to create a space that is both visually striking and materially sustainable. The museum’s simple, translucent white volume is articulated by methacrylate ribs that reflect and transmit light, providing glimpses of the interior while maintaining an air of mystery. This design approach invites the public to explore the museum while subtly reinforcing the project’s message.

The structure is anchored by a nearly invisible system of seven transparent methacrylate ribs, each composed of 20mm “U” shaped beams and pillars. This framework supports the building while creating a seamless connection between the elements. The façade, constructed from white polyethylene panels, features tongue-and-groove joints that integrate smoothly with the ribs. This dense material allows the façade to be self-supporting while also adapting to changes in light, transforming into a glowing lantern after dark.

The roof, made from lightweight cellular polycarbonate, was chosen for its thermal insulation properties and ease of assembly. Each component was precision-cut and numbered in advance, allowing for rapid on-site construction in just two days. After the museum’s short exhibition period, the structure was carefully dismantled and recycled in a single day, aligning perfectly with the project’s goal of demonstrating a circular lifecycle for materials.

In its brief yet impactful existence, The Plastic Museum underscored the potential of plastic in contemporary architecture while serving as a critical educational tool. Through this project, delavegacanolasso successfully illustrated how innovative design and sustainable practices can coexist, advancing conversations on responsible material use and recycling within the built environment.