From 1 to 31 July 2025, Intermediae will extend the opening hours of Nave Una with the aim of providing the sort of refuge which cultural institutions have been setting up in the summer months, urged on by the climate crisis and the potential effects of high temperatures. In this manner, cultural spaces are positioning themselves as places in which to linger, take shelter and rest, in addition to enjoying their programmes, and culture becomes a physical, creative and intellectual refuge from the elements.

A Living Room for the City connects the idea of home with refuge from a perspective of comfort and wellbeing, as opposed to danger, and with exploration of a place where inspiring, critical forms of coexistence and exchange are being trialled. Forms which are based on care in its broadest sense, centred on friendship, family, collectivism, flatmates and neighbours. In our home, the “sitting room”, “dining room” or “living room” are places which represent hospitality and gathering. They are also where cultural, artistic and domestic practices are carried out, from watching films to listening to music to writing to talking to listening in general. With this notion in mind, in July, Nave Una will transform into A Living Room for the City, a space and a programme in which to take refuge in the sorts of cultural practices we might carry out in our own living rooms, combined with things we would like to do or plan if we could explore new uses, with other dimensions, in order to learn more, alongside others. The project explores the relevant and generative question of that place in between the intimate/private and the public, and leads us to a space for the common which is put together from a cultural perspective.

Developed by creators from the city, the programme provides them—via this living room for the city—with a place to present and exchange their work, alongside international guests who will support the process. The key elements will be listening and music, with live performances and formats such as DJ sets, accompanied by podcasts and soundscapes, as well as different forms of gathering, public conversations, individual and collective reading from a selection of materials located in Nave Una, and possible drifts in the space  by the artists acting as hosts. A Living Room for the City will feature the collaboration of creators and artists such as Iván Sette, Marco Padiya, María Buey and Javier Rodríguez (Robuche) as Radio Relativa, Julián Galay and Huda, among others.

How to inhabit the space

Suggested use

We welcome you to a space whose instructions for use—and the things you can do inside it—might well be the same as those of your own living room, with equal level of care required. It’s a place which provides shelter from hot summer temperatures, where you can take refuge in your own cultural practices and share with others.

In cities, many places have air-conditioning to beat the heat, but in this refuge, envisioned as a “living room for the city”, there’s no consumption required: it’s an open space where you can rest, chat, work, read or simply hang out.

To create this cool, welcoming space, we were supported by the creators and artists taking part in the programme and by Vivero de Estufas del Retiro plant nursery, which lent us loads of plants that will spend the summer here, cared for by Elena Páez from Planthae.

Support harmonious coexistence

·  Show respect for the plants. It’s best not to touch them. Don't leave anything in their pots.

·  Don't raise your voice. Use telephones responsibly.

·   Keep the space clean.

Facilities

·   Working space: Here, you’ll find tables, a Wi-Fi network and sockets for your mobiles and computers, so that you can comfortably write, browse, work, etc.

·   Sound space: On our website, you can enjoy soundscapes, podcasts and playlists created by the artists collaborating with the programme.

Meet other people, talk, listen and read together.

Follow the schedule to keep track of what’s going on in this living room for the city.