Wright Gallery exhibit featured work by young Spanish architects

Miguel Roldán

“Young Architects of Spain: A Window to the Unknown,” a major [exhibit] (http://www.spainculture.us/calendar/282/) showcasing the extraordinary work of several emerging Spanish architects whose designs made their nation a global architectural focal point by the end of the 20th century, was exhibited Nov. 6 – Dec. 10, 2012 in the Wright Gallery at the Texas A&M College of Architecture.

This talented group of young, brilliant creators are following in the footsteps of established architects such as [Santiago Calatrava] (http://www.calatrava.com/) , Rafael Moreno, [Campo Baeza] (http://www.campobaeza.com/) and [Navarro Baldeweg] (http://www.alessi.com/en/1/176/juan-navarro-baldeweg) .

“This very impressive exhibit highlighted how architectural excellence produced by a new generation of professionals — not just the internationally renowned Spanish maestros — is ensuring a promising future for Spanish architecture,” said Elton Abbott, assistant dean for international programs & initiatives and coordinator of the Texas A&M exhibit.

Miguel Roldán, director of Texas A&M College of Architecture study abroad program in Spain and founding partner of award-winning, Barcelona-based R+B Architects, presented the exhibit’s opening lecture at Preston Geren Auditorium

The exhibit presented a variety of extraordinary, rigorously constructed work deeply sensitive to its cultural and natural environment, said exhibit curator Jesus Aparicio.

A series of internally illuminated modules displayed the exhibit’s photographs, videos and information of 62 works from public and private commissions consisting of new constructions and renovations to existing buildings. The work is spread across 28 Spanish provinces, China, Mexico, the Netherlands, Hungary and Germany in urban and rural environments.

The exhibition, which has already been on display in New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Brussels, is the result of a public competition opened to all young Spanish architects. An international jury of prestigious architects including [Manuel Blanco] (http://www.mblarq.com/) and Campo Baeza and critics [Kenneth Frampton] (http://architectural-world.blogspot.com/2008/05/kenneth-frampton.html) and [Juhnani Pallasma] (http://www.nbm.org/about-us/national-building-museum-online/interview-with-an-icon.html) selected the exhibit’s work from more than 700 submitted projects.

The exhibit’s stop in College Station was facilitated by Mario Rojo del Busto, Texas A&M assistant dean of faculties and director of international faculty and scholar services, through his contacts with the Consulate General of Spain in Houston.

The exhibit was sponsored by the College of Architecture, Spain’s Houston Consulate, the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Spanish Housing Ministry.

posted July 24, 2012