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Last edited 29 Mar 2021

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Spanish brutalism

Located in Barcelona, the University of Barcelona Bellvitge Hospital in L’Hospitalet opened in 1972

1 Introduction
2 Defining characteristics
3 Brutalism in Madrid
4 Brutalism in Barcelona
- 4.1 Colon building (1971)
- 4.2 Walden 7 (1975)
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[edit] Introduction

Spanish brutalism is an architectural style that first appeared in the 1950s as a reaction to the Francoist dictatorship and its associated architectural style. It grew out of the early-20th century modernist movement, having adopted some of the characteristics of this style, particularly in its use of materials.

[edit] Defining characteristics

Brutalist buildings are characterised by their massive, monolithic and ‘blocky’ appearance with a rigid geometric style and large-scale use of poured concrete. While massive and imposing, some Spanish brutalism introduces more natural shapes and forms, giving it a distinctively organic quality. This form of Spanish brutalism is sometimes referred to as Organicism.

Like its counterparts in other regions of the world, the Spanish brutalist style was dynamic and self-confident - a direct contrast to the neoclassical style favoured by Franco and his followers. The buildings sometimes have rough, unfinished surfaces, unusual shapes, heavy-looking materials and small windows. As well as concrete, other materials commonly used in Brutalist buildings included brick, glass, steel and rough-hewn stone.

Although it was not commonly used in much of Spain, the style was sometimes incorporated into commercial buildings, high-rise blocks of flats and even religious structures. The majority of noteworthy Spanish brutalist buildings are in Madrid and Barcelona.

[edit] Brutalism in Madrid

Not a city often associated with modern architecture, there are nonetheless several iconic brutalist buildings in the city.

[edit] White Towers (1961 - 1968)

An early example is Francisco Javier Saenz de Oiza’s White Towers (or Torres Blancas). Made of concrete mixed with white marble dust, the 23-storey mixed-use towers spring from the ground like massive trees covered in mushrooms. The wavy balconies are arranged to mimic leaves on branches, giving the building the impression of being both imposing and organic.

The White Towers were designed by Francisco Javier Saenz de Oiza, who was considered one of the most influential modern Spanish architects.

[edit] The Cultural Heritage Institute of Spain (1964 - 1990)

Spanish architects Fernando Higueras Díaz and Antonio Miró Valverde collaborated on the Cultural Heritage Institute of Spain (or Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural de España) to produce a dynamic example of Spanish brutalism. Nicknamed the ‘crown of thorns’ due to it's projecting rooflights, the structure went through several modifications before completion.

This view shows the façade of the headquarters of the Cultural Heritage Institute of Spain, in Madrid.

[edit] The Church of Santa Ana y la Esperanza (1965)

Miguel Fisac Serna designed the Church of Santa Ana y la Esperanza with interior elements reminiscent of Le Corbusier. The spartan arched recesses are made from concrete and then lit for dramatic effect.

Iglesia de Santa Ana y Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza is located in the Moratalaz neighbourhood of Madrid.

[edit] Towers of Columbus (1968 - 1976)

The Towers of Columbus (or Las Torres de Colón) were designed by Antonio Lamela as the headquarters for the Rumasa company. As one of the tallest buildings in Madrid, the pair of towers is also sometimes called "El Enchufe" or "The Plug" due to the structure (which was added later) that connects them. Lamela’s engineering method incorporated an unconventional technique referred to as ‘suspended architecture’, allowing construction to work both from the top down (for the towers) and from the bottom up (from the basement).

Unlike other brutalist buildings, the Towers of Columbus exteriors are not exposed concrete. The green glass and copper facade (added in the 1990s) has transformed the Towers into an eclectic mix of styles.

[edit] Brutalism in Barcelona

As a city known for its association with Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona also has its share of brutalist buildings. As in Madrid, there are several dramatic towers that provide another interpretation of the Spanish brutalist style.

[edit] Colon building (1971)

Designed by Josep Ribas González, this early Barcelona skyscraper applies the brutalist characteristic of using different stylistic approaches to delineate different functions within the building - wide car park base, slim mixed-use space and dramatic geometric rooftop restaurant.

This view of Barcelona from the gardens of Miramar on Montjuïc show the Colon building towering over the city.

[edit] Walden 7 (1975)

This massive apartment building was designed by Ricardo Bofill. It combines living modules and interior community spaces in what was considered a public housing experiment at the time. Made up of 18 towers that originally housed 446 simple apartment units, the modules could be reconfigured to adapt to changing family requirements. Breaking from the brutalist tradition of a plain concrete exterior, the facade was first covered with red tiles which began to fall off due to an error with the adhesive. After a 1995 renovation, the exterior was painted red and most of the remaining tiles were removed.