Pablo Alvarez Funes

In this insightful presentation from the Norwegian Symposium on Beauty in Architecture 2025, Pablo Alvarez Funes explores the rich history of "Traditional Architecture Education in Spain between 1752 and 1955." He begins with the establishment of the Royal Academy in 1752, which shifted architectural training from a guild-based system to a more formalized academic approach.

Funes details the evolution of Spanish architectural schools, including the creation of a separate technical school for architects in 1857 and the subsequent opening of schools in Barcelona and Seville. He highlights the impact of historical events like the Spanish Civil War on architectural records and the subtle shift towards modernism in the mid-20th century. A significant portion of the talk showcases the curriculum and learning methods of these traditional schools, emphasizing the importance of drawing techniques, the study of classical orders, and the influence of architects like Vignola. Funes also touches on notable Spanish classicist architects and the enduring legacy of traditional crafts in Spain today, including current initiatives to keep these traditions alive through summer schools and institutions like the Classic Planning Academy.

Recorded at the 3rd annual Beauty and Ugliness in Architecture conference in Oslo, May 2nd – 4th 2025.