www.archi-europe.com archi-news 2/2017 BUILDING AFRICA EDITO If the Far East seems to be the focal point of the contemporary architectural development, the future is probably in Africa. Is this continent already in the line 17 of vision? Many European architects are currently building significant complexes: 2/20 the ARPT by Mario Cucinella, the new hospital in Tangiers by Architecture Studio or the future urban development in Oran by Massimiliano Fuksas, among other projects. But the African architectural approach also reveals real dynamics. This is the idea which seem to express the international exhibitions on African architecture during these last years, on the cultural side and architectural and archi-news archi-news city-panning approach, as well as in relation to the experimental means proposed by numerous sub-Saharan countries after their independence in the sixties, as a way to show their national identity. Not the least of contradictions, this architecture was often imported from foreign countries, sometimes from former colonial powers. The demographic explosion and the galloping city planning have contributed to this situation. The recent exhibition « African Capitals » in La Villette (Paris) proposes a new view on the constantly changing African city, whilst rethinking the evolution of the African city and more largely the modern city. As the contemporary African art is rich and varied – the Paris Louis Vuitton Foundation is presently organizing three remarkable exhibitions – the African architecture can’t be reduced to a single generalized label, because of the originality of the different nations and their socio-historical background. The challenges imply to take account and to control many parameters in relation with the urbanistic pressure and the population. Those who shape the future by proposing a new approach to modernity personify the changing potential. Among one of the first native architecture offices, there are the Nigerian office Adeyemi (its Makoko district floating school in Lagos was on many front pages) or the South African offices Makeka and MMA. One was renowned by the transformation of imposing buildings of the apartheid period, such as the Cape Town Railway Station for the 2010 World Cup. The other one, one of the first offices belonging to South African black people after the end of apartheid, has initiated new ways and worked on important institutional projects. Whilst the Burkinabe Diébédo Francis Kéré, very publicized and present in many exhibitions and seminars, counts on using his European training -he studied in Berlin- and traditional African methods, as well as his innovative use of vernacular materials to promote an architecture integrating ethics and tradition. This more sensitive approach, being back to the roots and combining local solutions with the most appropriate occidental ideas is the one revealing today the new face of Africa. Marie-Claire Regniers 2 Lycée Schorge Secondary School, Koudougou, Burkina Faso 2016 Architect : Diébédo Francis Kéré This school provides a source of inspiration by showcasing locally-sourced building materials in an innovative and modern way. The architecture not only functions as a marker in the landscape, it is also a testament to how local Soulages Museum materials, in combination with creativity and team-work, can be transformed RCR-Arquitectes, Spain into something significant with profound lasting effects. Photos © Hisao Suzuki Content 02 Editorial 04 Portrait: Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem & Ramon Vilalta (ES) 08 Portrait: David Adjaye (UK) 13 European Architecture Awards® 20 Serpentine Pavilion 2017, London 23 Interview of Prudent De Wispelaere (B) 26 Products 28 Books 30 Competitions Copyright 2017 Archi-Europe Group®. Dennendreef 8a • B-3721 KORTESSEM T +32 11 37 56 13 • Fax +32 11 37 56 07 www.archi-europe.com [email protected] Publisher Jacques Allard Chief editor Marie-Claire Regniers Layout Debie graphic design Printing DV3 © 2017 Archi-News®, Archi-Students®, Archiworld® and Archi-Europe® are Registered Trademarks. 3 RAFAEL ARANDA, CARME PIGEM & RAMON VILALTA Photo © Javier Lorenzo Domínguez 1 Photo © Hisao Suzuki After Chile, the Pritzker For Tom Pritzker, son of the prize founder, the three architects show a faultless commitment to the site and its history, in order to create Architecture Prize has now spaces conversing with their context. Their ability to intensely relate been awarded to Spain with the environment specific to each site is a testament to their process the RCR Arquitectes trio, the and deep integrity. It is like this for all their major realizations, the Rodez Soulages Museum finished in 2014. Five oxidised Corten steel Catalan office noticed for parallelepipeds offer a rust tint reminding of the volcanic stone of their its handcrafted approach, region of origin and close to the Aubrac mountains local sandstone. minimalist and respectful of the Let’s go three decades back. Rafael Aranda (1961), Carme Pigem genius loci. (1962) and Ramon Vilalta (1960) met each other in 1987 at the Valles Architecture School, where they were finishing their studies. The next year, they founded the RCR Arquitectes office (their three name initials) at Olot, in the Gerona province close to the French border RCR ARQUITECTES, where they were born. OLOT, SPAIN They attribute their early success to a first prize victory in a 1988 www.rcrarquitectes.es competition sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Public Works and Urbanism, in which they designed a lighthouse in Punta Aldea by 4 2 Photo © RCR Arquitectes / Coussée & Goris architecten 3 Photo © RCR Arquitectes / Coussée & Goris architecten pondering the essence of the typology, a fundamental approach that All their works have a strong sense of place and are powerfully con- would resonate throughout all of their future works. nected to the surrounding landscape. The buildings’ settlements, Influenced by the Japanese culture, the three architects wish to the choice of materials, the geometries used are always aimed to « make the people feel the nature, the air, the void, the essence underline the natural conditions and throw them in the building it- PORTRAIT of matters ». They adopt a handcrafted approach, minimalist and self. The bodega Bell-Lloc Winery in Palamos (2007), for example, is respectful of the close environment. embedded in the vineyards soil, in dark and fresh cellars needed 17 For the Australian architect Glenn Murcutt, their work reflects great for the wine ageing. The intensive use of recycled steel merges the 2/20 respect for the past, while projecting clarity that is of the present building with the earth whilst the openings made between the me- and the future. Such, the Barberí Laboratory, their office located in tallic slats let the light in. an early 20th century foundry refurbished in 2007 keeps many rem- The Cols Restaurant in Olot is an other example of fusion between nants of the original building. By adding new elements only where landscape and minimalist modern materials to create a function- needed and in contrasting materials, the architects demonstrate al site reminding of certain country-style buildings. The space sets their love for both tradition and innovation. itself in a valley carved out in the landscape by the architects. The thick volcanic stonewalls support a lightweight and polymer trans- Harmonizing materiality with transparency, Aranda, Pigem and parent roof to protect against sun and rain. The furniture and Vilalta seek connections between the exterior and interior, resulting vertical hanging blinds that can sub-divide the space are also of in emotional and experiential architecture. clear plastic, which puts the emphasis on food, festivities and the natural setting. 5 3 4 Community is another word that comes to mind when speaking of of Paris is to create an Art Center covered with ceramics and many their work. terraces with a large concave volume shaped like an open hand. Both in the bright and colorful nursery school in Besalú, Girona, El This project would be located at the end of the Boulogne-Billancourt Petit Comte Kindergarten (2010) and the Sant Antoni – Joan Oliver Seguin Island, former site of the Renault manufacturing plants, Library, Senior Citizens Center and Cándida Pérez Gardens in Barce- which now is to become an important cultural pole. lona (2007), those who will inhabit the buildings are at the forefront In Belgium, after the crematorium of Hofheide, in association with of their concerns .The library, as well as many RCR Arquitectes the office Coussée & Goris Architecten, they have just finished the projects, is situated in an existing city block. The variety of spaces realization of De Krook city library and media center in Ghent, which invite for exploration and are casual enough to create a relaxed and seems to challenge the gravity laws like many of their buildings. friendly atmosphere. Great horizontal surfaces and the overhanging beams create par- The architects have also undertaken important works outside their allel lines strengthening its magic, where criss-cross the complex home in Catalonia. They have built in Belgium and France, for in- spatial uses. Established in an urbanized area, the building is based stance. A part from the Soulages Museum (2014) in Rodez, France, on a sustainable energy concept with passive and active measures. for example, which houses the works of the abstract painter Pierre The technical facilities used are integrated in the structure and Soulages and forms a symbiosis with the artist, who seems to paint even contribute to its architectural form. with light, they have designed The Cuisine Art Center, at Nègre- We live in a globalized world and we must count with the interna- pelisse in the Occitan region. Their latest project in the western part tional influences. Photos © Hisao Suzuki 6 5 6 7 But more and more people fear that, because of this international influence, we will lose our local values, our local art, and our local customs. Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta will help us to see, in a most beautiful and poetic way that we can, at least in PORTRAIT architecture, aspire to have both; our roots firmly in place and our arms outstretched to the rest of the world.