27: spain estudio barozzi veiga

‘instituto de microcirugia ocular’ by josep llinas (2009)
all images courtesy LAN architecture, undo-redo

following up on our introduction of ‘27: a journey through contemporary architecture in europe‘,
the ambitious new undertaking by paris-based studio LAN architecture, FATCAT films and
french graphic designers undo-redo, designboom brings you the first instalment of the project.

kicking off their tour around europe, the team visits barcelona, spain, a city with a rich
cultural backdrop, to meet up with estudio barozzi veiga, a young architecture practice
well-versed in creating from context. established in 2004 by fabrizio barozzi
(trento, italy, 1976)
and alberto veiga (santiago, spain, 1973), the atelier has worked on projects all over europe and abroad,
approaching each design in a sensitive and relevant manner without
any hesitation for
change and evolvement.

the duo got together with umberto napolitano, benoit jallon and the rest of the project 27 team
to explore the dynamic setting of barcelona, visit buildings of significance, and to discuss
in depth the direction of spanish architecture.

27 SPAIN Fabrizio & Alberto from FatCat Films on Vimeo.

‘everything is going to change,’ says EBV. ‘for the last 30 years, spanish architecture depended on
the architect’s figure and his role. architects had control over the whole building process but now,
there are many different figures that are involved; the architect’s image is being restored,
specialized and diversified.’

entrance of ‘instituto de microcirugia ocular’

since the early 90s, barcelona has gone through a number of reorders to its urban makeup:
the 1992 olympic games caused the construction of a number of representative buildings and
the 2004 universal forum of cultures met the development and regeneration of many areas,
including the seaside which hosted the events. while the latter was well intended in its goals for
peace, sustainable development, human rights and diversity, the aftermath of the costly project is
considered to be a marginal area for the city today.

covered circulation space

as the role of the architect is redefined, spain approaches the need for a new injection of urbanism.
driven largely by the importance of social exchange and the preservation of the melting pot,
barcelona is seeing a new generation of young architects that involve the exchange and communication
of their ideas in their designing-building process. EBV describes their studio as ‘an atelier,
just like a fashion studio, where our ideas mix and mingle; appear and disappear. the first stage
starts between us, where we share our concepts and discuss them in depth. we have to learn how to
renounce the ideas that we like and to accept that the best ones are not from ourselves; they are by
another person, or the result of a collaborative effort.’

exterior atrium

‘can framis’ by BAAS architects in barcelona, spain (2009)

facade conditions

(left) exterior circulation space
(right) window form

‘sant antoni library’ by RCR arquitectes in barcelona, spain (2007)

‘CCCB (centre de cultura contemporània de barcelona) by albert viaplana and helio piñon in barcelona, spain (1994)

‘ribera del duero wine headquarters’ in roa, spain by by estudio barozzi veiga

open plaza

interior

film still

alberto veiga and fabrizio barozzi in their office

dinner at palo alto

film still during dinner

behind the scenes

remember to check out 27’s website for more images and behind-the-scene look
of their time in spain. in our next instalment, we cover the team’s visit to denmark
where they met up with internationally renowned architect bjarke ingels of BIG
to discuss, among many things, the societal importance of architecture for both
the residence and the city.

to read more on ’27: a journey through contemporary architecture in europe’,
click through to our article on the project’s scope here.