Architects of Madrid: Rafael Moneo
Rafael Moneo is one of the most outstanding representatives of contemporary Spanish architecture, at the same time responsible for some of the museum projects with the most impact in Madrid.
Brief biographical sketch
Rafael Moneo (Tudela, Navarra, May 9 1937)
He studied at the School of Architecture in Madrid, where he graduated from 1961, although from 1958 he collaborated in the studio of Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza, and also as a student, with Jørn Utzon, author of the Sidney opera, for a year.
Unlike other authors, who travel to the US to learn the avant-garde North American architecture, in 1963 and encouraged by his father-in-law Luis Martínez-Feduchi (co-author of the Capitol building), he moves to Italy with a scholarship from the Spanish Academy in Rome, a stay that would be final for his career.
After two years in Rome, he returned to Spain, where he combined his work as an architect with an intense teaching activity: drawing and projects at the Madrid School, Composition chair at the Barcelona School, visiting professor at the IAUS in New York, in Lausanne , Princeton and Harvard, where between 1985 and 1990 he was dean of the Graduate School of Design, and where he continues as a professor.
Throughout his career he has received numerous distinctions and awards, among them the National Architecture Prize (1961 and 2015), the FAD Prize for Architecture and Interior Design (1994 and 2000), the BBAA Gold Medal, Royal Academic Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, the Prince of Asturias and the Pritzker, in 1996.
Works
His work is characterized by the combined application of contemporary and historical solutions, especially the architectural recovery of old buildings; the creation of the National Museum of Roman Art of Mérida, a building integrated into the historic center of the city supported by Roman architecture, represents its consecration at an international level.
His work covers different architectural areas: religious, civil, institutional, private, residential and commercial work, both nationally and internationally.
Among his most outstanding works outside the Community of Madrid we can mention the Kursaal (San Sebastián), the Miró Foundation (Palma de Mallorca), the Science Museum (Valladolid), the San Pablo Airport (Seville) or the L Building 'Illa Diagonal (Barcelona).
Internationally, he is the author of the Amsterdam City Council, the cathedral of Los Angeles or the museums of Art of Houston and of Modern Art and Architecture of Stockholm.
The Moneo legacy from Madrid passes through administrative buildings, such as Ibermutua and Bankinter, the Atocha station (and its next extension), the Maternal and Child Hospital on O'Donnell Street or the latest expansion of the Bank of Spain.
In addition, he is responsible for two of the museum projects with the most impact in Madrid: the conversion of Palace of the Dukes of Villahermosa in the current Thyssen Museum, and the expansion of the Prado Museum.
Veteran architect, he has counted on several of his works with the collaboration of other younger professionals such as Peio Elcuaz or Luis Moreno Mansilla (1959-2012).
Gallery
