Grafting Architecture. Catalonia at Venice

The proposal represents a determination to recognize, appreciate and reformulate the specificity of local Catalan architecture in contrast with the global and franchised architecture that has been dominant in recent years. The starting point is Casa Bofarull (1913-1933), one of the key works of Josep Maria Jujol (1879-1949). In this Tarragonan architect’s way of working we can identify an attitude that can be traced through many projects built in the last century and which is based on an intensive dialogue with pre-existing features (physical or otherwise) that enable a project including and blending new and existing elements to be developed, just as cuttings are grafted to a tree.

Casa Bofarull allows us to explore an architectural attitude that is timeless. Accompanying it are IES La Llauna in Badalona (1984-56, Carme Pinós and Enric Miralles), Espai La Lira in Ripoll (2004-11, RCR Arquitectes and Joan Puigcorbé), and the transmitter space for the megalithic tumulus/dolmen in Seró (2007-2013, Toni Gironès), projects removed in time but very close in many ways. All of them work with pre-existing constructions and are the result of layering concepts in which traditional materials are reinterpreted, and they are inserted in the territory, engaging in dialogue. They are complex and enriching projects that add a temporary milestone to the place where they are built, and they cannot be understood without their surrounds, it being impossible to separate the parts from the whole—a rich local-universal synthesis is seen as the driving force of the project, where the world is reinterpreted from one of its corners. Projects on the slow burner and reflection continuing a long-standing architectural tradition.

Selected buildings.

- Restoration of Casa Bofarull (1913-1933, Josep Maria Jujol, in Els Pallaresos)
- Apartments in the attic of La Pedrera (1953-1955, Francisco Juan Barba Corsini, in Barcelona)
- Restoration of the Church of L’Hospitalet (1981-1984, José Antonio Martínez Lapeña and Elías Torres Tur, in Ibiza)
- La Llauna High School (1984-1986, Carme Pinós and Enric Miralles, in Badalona)
- Caldereria Petita House, restoration of a terraced house (2001-2002, Calderon - Folch - Sarsanedas Arquitectes, in Gelida)
- Can Framis Museum (2007-2009, Jordi Badia, BAAS Arquitectura, in Barcelona)
- La Lira Public Theater Space (2004-2011, RCR Arquitectes: Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta, and Joan Puigcorbé, in Ripoll)
- Juan Apartment (2011, Vora arquitectura: Pere Buil and Toni Riba, in Barcelona)
- Saint Francis Church Auditorium (2003-2011, David Closes, in Santpedor)
- Three stations of Barcelona Metro Line 9: Amadeu Torner, Parc Logístic and Mercabarna (2008-2011, Garcés - De Seta - Bonet Arquitectes: Jordi Garcés,  Daria de Seta and Anna Bonet, and Ingeniería Tec-4: Ferran Casanovas, Antonio Santiago and Felipe Limongi, in Barcelona)
- Transmitter Space for the Megalithic Tumulus/Dolmen (2007-2013, Toni Gironès, in Seró, Artesa de Segre)
- Can Zariquiey – Arenys de Munt Clinic (2006-2013, Josep Miàs, Josep Miàs Arquitectes, in Arenys de Munt)
- Casal Balaguer Cultural Center (1996-in process, Flores&Prats Arquitectes: Eva Prats i Ricardo Flores, and Duch-Pizá Arquitectos: M. José Duch and Francisco Pizá, in Palma)
- Landscape restoration of the Vall d’en Joan landfill in Begues (2002-in process, Enric Batlle, Joan Roig and Teresa Galí, in the Garraf Natural Park)
- Tower of 94 public housing units (2012-in process, Josep Llinàs, in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat)

Project to revitalize the Al-Adhamiyah District (2012-in process, AV62 Arquitectos: Victòria Garriga and Toño Foraster, and Pedro García del Barrio and Pedro Azara, in Baghdad).

In the words of Torrents i Alegre, “the proposal is not a debate on taxidermic and conservative projects but examines an architectural approach that generates new layers and establishes new relationships where it intervenes. Hybridization is a concept that conveys the idea of a new, more vigorous organism emerging from two organisms combining their original components, and the architecture presented is the result of these vigorous combinations.”

The guiding thread of the proposal is the description of the different projects through the architectural process and the subsequent perception of the resulting building. These projects are understood from themselves, their uniqueness, and not as architecture that forms part of a movement.

The first phase describes the process used to plan and build the structure using photographs, sketches, drawings, models and so on, but never documents from the finished buildings. This phase enables understanding and discovery of the different ways of approaching this attitude, listening to the voices of the architects.

The second phase emphasizes the perception of this architecture from three different perspectives. The passage of time and daily life will be captured in photographs and videos. The Actions will take place in this phase; four different artists have been chosen to reinterpret each building through an artistic action designed specifically for the space where they are to be performed.

Venue.- Catalonia at Venice se inaugurará el 5 de junio en los Cantieri Navali, Calle Quintavalle, Castello, 40. Venice. Italy.