Jean Nouvel describes his project as being “in the shadow of the Reina Sofia”, as “the existing museum must clearly dominate”. Two walls from the previous buildings have been symbolically preserved, not for their beauty, but to affirm the sense of mutation. Most of the trees are preserved. The three new buildings, each corresponding to a specific program, are arranged around a courtyard. The library is to the south; to the west is a wing of social functions; to the north are temporary exhibit spaces. (source: Jean Nouvel’s website)