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TOWARDS
BIOLOGY
PRESS KIT
14th International Exhibition
La Biennale di Venezia
T I M E S PA C E
EXISTENCE
Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
contributes to TIME SPACE EXISTENCE,
collateral event of the 14th International
Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia
(June 7 - November 23, 2014)
Company’s Barcelona-based headquarters, “La Fabrica” featured as
a case study for the exhibition’s architectural narrative
Rendering of interior of exhibition
For more information please contact:
FITZ & CO, Anna Rosa Thomae
[email protected]
For access to imagery, please visit:
www.biennale.ricardobofill.com
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Press Release
The 14th International Architecture Exhibition - la Biennale di Venezia, which opens
to the media with previews on June 5 and 6,
and is open to the public from June 7 through
November 23, 2014, will feature a Collateral
Event titled TIME SPACE EXISTENCE. Barcelona-based Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura (RBTA) will contribute an exhibition
to TIME SPACE EXISTENCE, at The Palazzo
Bembo, located at Riva del Carbon, 47934785, Venezia 30124.
The exhibition presents an architectural
narrative based on La Fabrica—the firm’s
well-known headquarters in a former cement
factory in Barcelona. The exhibition extends
the space far beyond its physical existence
in Spain, to consider how it can also exist
in other places, most specifically in Venice.
Drawing upon past, present, and future similarities between Barcelona and Venice, the
exhibition will reimagine La Fabrica as the
Venice-based starting point of a communal/
individual journey and thought process that
transcends physical and mental frames.
Visitors will enter the exhibition through an
anteroom—a reinterpretation of traditional
Venetian room. Inside, a sequence of images narrates the physical transformation of
La Fabrica from a polluted cement factory
into a design office and residence, inundated
with lush gardens. Visitors are invited by a
sound to then enter a rotunda where they are
surrounded by imagery that maps the transformative design process and principals of
RBTA, moving from what Ricardo Bofill refers to as, “death to life.” Using 3-D mapping
and sound, the visitor is surrounded by an
abstract sensorial experience that narrates
the progression of RBTA’s design process
throughout the past 50 years, looking into
the future. The overall experience will communicate RBTA’s narrative of TIME SPACE
EXISTENCE through 360º mapping.
TIME SPACE EXISTENCE through 360º mapping
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«From Death to Life»
Time Space Existence
Ricardo Bofill believes that La Fabrica,
even before it was purposed 150 years ago
as a cement factory, was closely connected
to its future as an architecture office. He
explains, “The creation and subsequent
narration of this journey details a sequential
notion of time, constructed with and informed by human and social thought. The
exhibition will show how narrative programming reflects diversity in architecture, not
just through stylistic differentiation but also
through stories of origins, as well as present
and future influence.” Furthering the concept
of the narrative, RBTA’s exhibition will define
the plot, the key characters, the pivotal turning points, the climax, and an epilogue.
Bofill, an acknowledged architectural master, will use the space inside Palazzo Bembo to narrate the transformation of factory’s
decaying no-man’s land to a new community,
from a dead-use space to a progressive
design hub. The structure will represent the
evolving manifestation of a specific history.
As a cement factory, La Fabrica bred death
and decay; organically, through the eyes of
a visionary architect, it rose from the ashes
to thrive in ways once thought unimaginable.
Today, it emerges from lush gardens overflowing with eucalyptus, palms, olive trees
and cypresses. Bofill describes the factory
as “a magic place with a strange atmosphere… where life can be perfectly programmed,
ritualized; in total contrast with the turbulence and nomadic nature of modern daily life.”
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Ricardo E. Bofill adds, “Even after a leap 100
years into the future, La Fabrica’s evolution
does not end. What was once unimaginable will continue to unfold. The story told at
Venice will describe La Fabrica’s transformation from a 100-year-old cement factory
to an office for architecture, and then will
imagine its future – perhaps it will become
a wastewater treatment plant.”
The use of a narrative for an architecture
project incorporates memories, stories,
and social perceptions to create a psychological as well as a tangible space. Spacetime design vectors enhance the narrative’s
vocabulary to create new forms of culture.
To accommodate future use and necessity, architects must draw on the past and
present.
Architects are not fortune-tellers. But instead, creators of fables, hoping to manifest
an accurate reality. The narrative takes into
consideration issues that are dealt with
by architects daily, and over periods as long
as an era. These issues include environmental problems caused by traffic congestion,
pollution, insufficient infrastructure, and the
depletion of national resources. Using an
architectural narrative, architects propose
a range of solutions to problems for which
there is no singular remedy, customized
case-by-case to a location’s particular time,
place, and DNA.
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THE FACTORY PAST AND FUTURE / FROM DEATH TO LIFE
For more images, please see:
www.biennale.ricardobofill.com
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About Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura (RBTA)
RBTA is a leading international design studio that utilizes architecture, planning, ecological analysis, landscape and interior design, and digital narration to shape large scale urban
design. RBTA’s fabrication includes all scales, from cities and buildings to master plans and
furniture. Ricardo Bofill serves as Chairman to the firm, founding it over 50 years ago, and is
chief designer. RBTA is also led by his two sons Ricardo E. Bofill and Pablo Bofill, partners
Jean Pierre Carniaux and Peter Hodgkinson, as well as associates Eduardo Wachs, Gabor
Somssich, Giorgio Cui, and Jose-Maria Rocías. A multidisciplinary team, consisting of over
20 nationalities currently works to incorporate their diverse backgrounds in architecture,
urbanism, fine arts, literature, ecology, sociology and economics to grow a sustainable built
environment for the future.
Silo experience
The scope of RBTA has a comprehensive vision of architecture that includes urban planning,
landscape, lighting, and furniture design. To date, RBTA has over 1000 projects in over 40
countries around the globe. Current RBTA projects can be found throughout the world—Marrakesh, Lima, Shenyang, Delhi, Moscow, Almaty, Prague, Dallas, and many more. Notable
projects include La Economia Newspaper HQ (Czech Republic 2014), Médiathèque (France
2014), renovation of Beijing Domestic Airport Terminals (China 2014), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco 2014), Desigual HQ (Spain 2013), Barcelona Airport (Spain 2010),
W Hotel Barcelona (Spain 2009), Cartier Headquarters (France 2002), Shiseido Headquarters (Japan 2001), United Airlines Headquarters (USA 1992), Les Espaces d´Abraxas (France
1982), Walden 7 (Spain 1975) and La Fabrica (Spain 1973).
Though the firm’s work has been incorporated into events in the past Biennales, such as
Great Moscow’s 2012 display of RBTA, OMA and other finalist teams’ proposals for the
competition of the expansion of Moscow City, this is the first time since 1989 that Ricardo
Bofill Taller de Arquitectura has put together its own exhibition. Additionally to TIME SPACE
EXISTENCE, past architectural projects are being featured within the Spanish Pavilion, in the
Giardini, for the exposition entitled “Interiors”, curated by Iñaki Abalos.
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Ricardo Bofill Levi
Born 1939, Barcelona, Spain. Profession: Architect
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Ricardo Bofill, born in 1939 in Barcelona, graduated
from the Barcelona University School of Architecture
and the School of Geneva.
In 1963 he gathered a multidisciplinary team to
confront the complexity of architectural practice,
forming the Taller de Arquitectura. Bofill first gained
notoriety for recuperating the characteristic craft elements of traditional Catalan architecture, applying
them to geometric formations of elements in space.
Developed in a theoretical manner with the project
The City in Space, and made it concrete with the construction of the projects Walden 7, Muralla Roja and
Xanadu. In 1971 he formed a complementary team
in Paris, in response to the demands of various projects for the French “New Towns”. During this phase,
Bofill introduced in his proposals symbolic elements
directly related to the French monumental architecture. La Petite Cathédrale and La Maison d’Abraxas
are examples of these inhabited monuments. Bofill’s
design studies for precast concrete units contributed
in the 1980’s to the Taller’s affirmation of the validity of
classical forms and geometry in contemporary architecture. In the 1990’s, the inclusion of glass and steel
amongst the materials used in his projects is simply
the outcome of a process marked by the study of and
research into forms and materials. In 2000 Bofill regrouped his activity in Spain. From his headquarters,
a former cement factory in the outskirts of Barcelona,
Bofill’s Taller continues the spirit and philosophy that
motivated his team in the early1960s to approach international projects from the large scale of urban design contributing to a new “integrated urbanism.”
AWARDS AND HONORARY MENTIONS
Awarded Doctor Honoris Causa, Metz University, France, 1995
Belgium, Ordre des Architectes Conseil du Brabant, Brussels, 1989
Chicago Architecture Award, Illinois Council/ American Institute of Architects/Architectural Record, Chicago, USA, 1989
Académie Internationale de Philosophie de l’Art, Bern, Switzerland, 1989
Honarary Fellow of the American Instiute of Architects, 1985
Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Degree, Ministry of Culture, Paris, France, 1984
Ciudad de Barcelona Prize of Architecture for renovation of the cement factory in Sant Just Desvern, Barcelona, Spain, 1980
Architecte Agrée Degree Ordre National des Architectes, Paris, France, 1979
A.S.I.D. (American Society of Interior Designers), International Prize, New York, 1978
Fritz Schumacher, Honoris Causa Degree, University of Hamburg, Germany, 1968
ADI-FAD Award in Architecture for building on calle Nicaragua 99, Barcelona, Spain, 1963
PRIZES FOR CONSTRUCTION
“Tokyo Architecture Award 2002” By Tokyo Association of Architectural Firms for Shiseido Building in Tokyo
“Prémio Valmor e Municipal de Arquitectura 2001” for Atrium Saldanha in Lisbon
The Chicago Lighting Award of Merit for Donnelley Building, Chicago
West Wacker Award of Merit (Structural Engineers Association of Illinois) for Donnelley Building, Chicago
Award for Support of Affirmative Action 1992, Chicago Urban League for Donnelley Building, Chicago
Real Estate Development of the year 1993, Chicago Sun-Times for Donnelley Building, Chicago
The Excellence in Engineering Award 1993, American Society of H. R. A.C. Engineers for Donnelley Building, Chicago
Best New Building Award 1993, Friends of Downtown for Donnelley Building, Chicago
Grand Award for Interior Landscape Contractors American Landscape Contractors for Donnelley Building, Chicago
One Star – Architectural Interest 1996. Michelin Guide of Chicago for Donnelley Building, Chicago
Favorite Building and Favorite Lobby Survey of Chicago Tribune readers for Donnelley Building, Chicago
ADI-FAD Award in Architecture for Building on Nicaragua street no 99. Barcelona, 1964
FAD Award in Design for the lattice of Compositor Bach street no 28 building. Barcelona, 1963
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Ricardo E. Bofill Maggiora
Born 1965, Barcelona, Spain. Profession: Architect
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Ricardo E. Bofill started at RBTA in 1992 as a model–maker summer–intern, was assistant at the Rice
summer Institute at the Taller, was later assistant
Commercial Officer, assistant Chief Architect, Chief
Architect, was Head of RBTA China, Head of India,
before becoming President of the Company in 2012.
Ricardo focuses on large–scale international urban
projects, in which he resolves progressive housing,
mobility issues, ecology, as well as master planning
for mega-cities. He received his B.A in Architecture at
Rice University, M. Archi at Harvard University, M.A in
Real Estate Development at Columbia University and
Dipl in Film Studies at UCLA.
Ricardo has published 3 fictional novels (“Perséfone” in 1995, “Bajo mi Piel” in 1997 and “Yo no trago” en 2003) and directed the films “Hot Milk” in 2003
and “Nietzsche” in 2010.
KEY PROJECTS
Dallas Trinity and Downtown The Connected City. 2013, USA
Metropolis Village. 2013, Chennai, India
Great Moscow. 2012, Moscow, Russia
Novoorlovskiy. 2012, St. Petersburg, Russia
Signature III. 2011, New Delhi, India
Smolniy. 2011, St. Petersburg, Russia
W Hotel Barcelona. 2009, Barcelona Spain
Supeshine Residences. 2004, Beijing, China
Shangri- La Hotel and Residenes. 2004, Beijing, China
Casa Ananda. 2004, Miami, USA
National Theatre of Catalonia. 1997, Barcelona, Spain
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Past Projects
TERMINAL 1 AT BARCELONA AIRPORT
2008, BARCELONA, SPAIN
W BARCELONA HOTEL
2009, BARCELONA, SPAIN
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MIGUEL DELIBES CULTURAL CENTER
2007, VALLADOLID, SPAIN
KARLIN EVENT HALL
2013, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
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LA MURALLA ROJA
1968, CALPE, SPAIN
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How to get to Palazzo Bembo
Room 9
Riva del Carbon, San Marco district
Venice 4793-4785, Italy
Opening hours: daily from 10am to 6pm
Closed on Tuesday
Arrivals from Marco Polo airport
S.Lucia rail station
Bus station
Boat bus
Parking
Info points
Walking paths - minutes
Boat bus - lines
Walking paths
Main squares
2nd floor
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RBTA TEAM
Chairman
Ricardo Bofill Levi
President
Ricardo Bofill Maggiora Vergano
Director
Pablo Bofill D’Huart
Senior Partners
Peter Hodgkinson
Jean-Pierre Carniaux
Executive Assistant to the Chairman
Natalia Chiner
Executive Assistant to the President and
Partners
Alicia Stiglitz
Head of Business Development
Andrew Ghadimi
Business Development Russia
Ludmila Yarema
Business Development India
Surbhi Sharma
China´s Headquarters Director
Xia Yan
Latin America Architect
Hernán Cortés
U.S.A. Special Projects
Kelley Blevins
Chief Senior Architect and Urban Planner
Eduardo Wachs
Chief Architect and Civil Engineer
Gabor Somssich
Chief Architect and Master Planner
Giorgio Cui
Chief Interior Designer
Marta de Vilallonga
Chief Construction Architects
José María Rocías
Eduardo Palao
Architects
Harijs Alsins
Patricia Buxó
Dimitri Davoise
Mariana Delas
Margarida Dinis
David Frias
Antonio González
Hana Kim
Nataliya Kuznetsova
Alice Liburdi
Eduard Palao jr.
Hilari Pareja jr.
Martin Plante
Lorena Prieto
Arnau Roca
Roxana Schwenger
Lars Sorensen
Natalia Toledo
Alvaro Miranda
Marina Matashova
Friso Van der Molen
Christiana Vlanti
Suchi Vora
Presentation Designer
Alicia Glubocko
Emma Gonzalez
3D Team
Joan Baseiria
Aina Olivar
José Antonio Espinosa
Model Maker
Carlos Martínez
Press and Publications Manager
Serena Vergano
Interior Designers
Héctor Gascó
Alba Agüera
Logistics Manager
Josep Maria López Petit
Administration department
María Rosa Sánchez
Chief Archives
José Luis Amella
IT Manager
Aitor León
Switchboard
Vanessa Cólliga
Maintenance & Services
Ramon Gonzalez
Wilfrido Spinola
Pere Corbera
Marta Sanabria
Rosa Rodríguez Parra
Paqui Rodríguez Parra
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This Project has been made possible by:
Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura
Onionlab
Montaggio, S.L
Apartamento
Lloc Servicios Audiovisuales, S.L.
–
www.biennale.ricardobofill.com
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