Plaza

Biography

José Antonio Martínez Lapeña obtained a degree in building engineering and architecture from the Barcelona Higher Technical School of Architecture (ETSAB). Elias Torres obtained a doctorate in architecture from the same school, the Barcelona Higher Technical School of Architecture (ETSAB). Elías Torres and José Antonio Martínez Lapeña, friends and fellow students, opened their firm, Martínez Lapeña - Torres Arquitectos, in Barcelona in 1968, a collaboration that continues to generate recognisable results today. With a Mediterranean essence and international modernity, Martínez Lapeña – Torres Arquitectos stand out for their respect of the landscape and historical heritage, and for their constant innovation. In Barcelona, they were in charge of the construction of the Vil·la Cecília Gardens in 1986 (FAD Architecture Award). They also participated in the large-scale renovation of the urban space brought about by the Barcelona Olympic Games (OG), building various residential complexes in the Vila Olímpica (1992, FAD Architecture Award). In 1993, they restored the emblematic work of Antoni Gaudí: Güell Park. Their most emblematic project might be the forecourt of the Fórum de Barcelona (2004), which allowed the expansion of Diagonal to Diagonal Mar, an expansion not anticipated by Ildefons Cerdà in 1859. The forecourt includes an emblematic 4000 m2 photovoltaic pergola on a 35º angle that produces power at the same time as offering a projected expanse of shade (special prize at the Biennial International Architecture Exhibition in Venice). In 2012, they designed the unique, groundbreaking Carme de Badalona Cultural Centre, a building that plays with the volumetry and perspective of the surroundings. Outside of the metropolitan area we find the Hospital Comarcal de Móra d'Ebre in Tarragona (1988, FAD Architecture Award) and the Plaça de la Constitució in Girona (with J. Esteban, A. Font and J. Montero, 1995). In the rest of the country, noteworthy are the residences in Colonia San José in Madrid (1995), the steps of La Granja in Toledo (2000), the Manuel de la Dehesa Award at the 6th Biennial Spanish Architecture and Town Planning Exhibition, the Hotel Hiberus in Zaragoza (2008) and Paseo de la Ría in Huelva (2016). They are also famous for the Kumamoto Art Museum (1992) in Japan.The Martínez Lapeña - Torres Arquitectos Studio has received various awards such as the RIBA International Fellowship 2016 and the 2016 National Architecture Award given by the Spanish Government, several FAD and Biennial Exhibition awards. Both Elías Torres and José Antonio Martínez Lapeña have continued to be involved in teaching throughout their professional career. Thus José Antonio has shared his years of experience in architecture and town planning with architecture degree students at ETSA Barcelona (during 1969-71 and 1978-83), ETSA Vallés (from 1983 to 2007), ETSA La Salle (from 1998 to 2016) and of the Masters in Architecture course at the University of Navarra ETSA (2001 and 2008). Elías gave classes from 1969 to 2014 at ETSAB. His teaching career has even been international as he worked as a guest professor in renowned American universities such as the California University in Los Angeles UCLA and Harvard University, and worldwide universities like Tokyo University and the Spanish Academy in Rome. Martínez Lapeña - Torres Arquitectos created the Lampelunas streetlight (Delta de Oro ADI-FAD, 1986), a unique lighting element that blends in with nature, representing the moon at night, and camouflaging amongst the trees during the day. And the Rodes wall lamp (1989), a recognisable exterior wall lamp made of hard-wearing materials and which integrates well, and the Plaza planter (1990), an essential element for cities that seeks green integration. Know more