Spanish Architecture - Ricardo Bofill

Ricardo Bofill (1939) is a Spanish architect from Catalonia who showed great promise at a surprisingly young age. He designed the plans for a summer home in Ibiza at just 17 and some 5 years later he had already taken on the role of head architect at Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura. Today, 50 years and countless projects later, Bofill continues to head the architectural studio.

Bofill’s work celebrates history by exploring new trends and constantly analyzing tradition and revisiting the past. The urge to innovate and search for new solutions to contemporary social issues has marked Boliff’s extensive body of work with a clear evolution of approaches to design. This bold evolution is also characterized by a unique personal style that harmonizes with the many local cultures around the world of the cities in which his works are located. 

The architect studied at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Barcelona until 1957, when he was expelled from the school after being arrested at a political demonstration. He was a member of the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia which was originally a unification of Socialist and Communist parties.  He also studied at the School of Geneva.

Bofill began his professional career in the 1960s, creating an architectural firm that was also made up of creative thinkers such as poets, musicians and philosophers. He first set about building residential structures such as el barrio Gaudí in Tarragona and later La Muralla Roja in Calpe, a building with clear Arab and Mediterranean influences and with a design shape based on a Greek cross.

In 1971, he set up another team in Paris, creating designs that carefully considered monumental architecture in France.  The team produced works such as La Maison d'Ábraxas and La Petite Cathédrale. After 1979, Bofill focused much of his work in France. He also began incorporating classical forms in his pieces and later, in the 1990s, he began exploring the use of different materials such as steel and glass.

In 2000, the Spanish architect refocused in Spain, basing himself in Barcelona. His work is now present in countries around the world. In fact the website for Ricardo Bofill’s studio claims that “no other architect has continuously worked with success in so many countries”. Notable works include the Shiseido building in Tokyo (2001), Barcelona Airport T2 (1991), and the W Barcelona hotel (2009).

Ricardo Bofill’s architecture is not only located in diverse locations but it is also designed for a wide range of functions. Throughout his career, he has effectively adapted his style to address social issues, to harmonize with local traditions and landscapes, and to remain on the cutting edge of modernity, all while maintaining a commitment to his own unique style influenced by personal experience. He has designed everything from large scale social housing works and luxury homes to hotels and an airport, all of which display Ricardo Bofill’s unique architectural vision.