Harquitectes receives a special mention at the Architecture & Urban Planning Awards of the CSCAE for the Clos Pachem winery
The Clos Pachem winery in Gratallops (Tarragona), the work of the architectural design studio Harquitectes, was given a special mention by the jury of the Architecture & Urban Planning Awards presented every year by the Higher Council of Architects' Associations in Spain (CSCAE).
The jury decided on this recognition in view of "the way the architects have accomplished a highly complex project embedded in a historic town centre". According to the experts, "they have managed to meticulously construct a wealth of different spaces in an excellent contextualisation of, and transition between, the interior and exterior space". In addition, they highlighted the attention given by the project to passive climate comfort for both people and the wines produced in the facility.
A sustainable urban winery
The Clos Pachem winery was created fairly recently by Swiss native Michel Grupper. Set in the town of Gratallops, the building was constructed with natural, simple and durable materials commensurate with the eco-friendly production of the estate. A large warehouse for wine fermentation is the central space of the project, with thick walls and numerous air chambers providing a totally natural cooling effect for the entire building, as well as complete hydrothermal stability.
Architecture & Urban Planning Awards 2020
The winners of the CSCAE 2020 Architecture & Urban Planning Awards were the Albeida Tourist Complex in A Coruña and the Land Planning Directives of the Basque Country. Both projects combine architectural values with sustainability and the optimisation of resources, and aspire to reach a harmonious balance between natural and urban habitats in line with the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.
Further information on the CSCAE website.
Barcelona prepares its candidacy to be the World Capital of Architecture and host the UIA World Congress in 2026
The city of Barcelona hopes to be the World Capital of Architecture in 2026 and host the World Congress and General Assembly of the International Union of Architects (IUA). With this goal in mind, the Municipal Plenary approved an Institutional Declaration in 2019 to work closely with the COAC and the CSCAE to present the city's candidacy.
In January 2020, the UIA officially named Barcelona as a candidate city with a single rival: the Chinese capital, Beijing. The City Council has now formally approved the candidacy and committed to financing the organizational costs if Barcelona is chosen. The city's candidacy will be presented in July 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, where the winning city will be announced.
The aim of this initiative is to take advantage of this event to showcase the role of architecture and urban planning in shaping the city model and in the projects being rolled out today to tackle contemporary urban challenges. In addition to the UIA Congress, which will be coordinated by the COAC, the plan is to organise a range of different events year round to raise awareness of the importance and value of architecture and urban planning.
Barcelona, a hub for architecture-related events
If Barcelona is chosen, this event will join other international architecture-related events to be hosted by the city. The Mies van der Rohe Pavilion has been chosen as one of two sites to host the 15th Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (BEAU), along with the Museo Patio Herreriano in Valladolid. The COAC, the CCCB, ETSAB-UPC, ETSA La Salle-URL and BB Construmat will also be taking part in the fifteenth BEAU with their own exhibitions and activities in addition to, and in synergy with, those of the Biennial.
In addition, Barcelona aims to play an active role in the New European Bauhaus, a multidisciplinary project instigated by the European Commission to serve as an incubator of innovation and creativity to promote the design of spaces for sustainable, inclusive and quality living. Barcelona is determined to make an active contribution to this process and to host one of its first headquarters in 2022.
Presentació del llibre "Arquitecturas de la estrategia"
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Arquitecturas de la estrategia estudia las técnicas de mercadotecnia que utilizan los arquitectos para conseguir encargos, vender proyectos y construir obras. Las estrategias de venta no se explican en la escuela porque siempre se ha considerado que el arquitecto no se podía vender. Tampoco se habla de ellas en la vida profesional ya que difícilmente alguien estará dispuesto a revelar los secretos que le permiten subsistir. En consecuencia, no existe bibliografía específica sobre la materia, pese a que los arquitectos han sido siempre unos excelentes vendedores de ideas. Si entendemos el funcionamiento del mercado, si sabemos a qué nos exponemos, quizás podamos “mantenernos sobre la ola y surfearla”, como dice Koolhaas. En otras palabras, conocer las reglas del juego resulta fundamental para moverse con soltura. El desafío es grande y más aún en el contexto actual. La crisis de nuestra profesión está provocando cambios en el perfil del arquitecto. Pasamos de hablar un lenguaje que solo entendemos nosotros —el discurso arquitectónico— a un lenguaje que parecen entender todos, menos nosotros: el discurso estratégico. Los arquitectos de hoy estamos abocados a proyectar menos edificios para centrarnos en la proyección de estrategias. Empecemos, pues, a estudiarlas. Descubriremos cómo funcionan y hasta dónde nos pueden llevar. A buen seguro las vamos a necesitar, para convencer a la sociedad de que todavía podemos serle útil.
Eduard Sancho Pou
Presentació del llibre "El mediterráneo inventado"
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