{"id":1313,"date":"2015-09-01T17:30:48","date_gmt":"2015-09-01T17:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kelosa.com\/blog\/?p=1313"},"modified":"2017-09-11T12:11:42","modified_gmt":"2017-09-11T10:11:42","slug":"minimalist-architecture-in-ibiza-roots-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kelosa.com\/blog\/en\/architecture\/minimalist-architecture-in-ibiza-roots-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"Minimalist Architecture in Ibiza. Roots & Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"

When we talk about of Spanish architecture, we often think of gilded stuccos, intricate arches, colorful tiles or open courtyards with ornamental balustrades. However, Ibiza is a world unto itself. The hallmark of the new Ibizan style is elegant, white and minimalist. And, as we will see next, these aspects aren’t only the product of a new trend, but rather for centuries formed part of Ibiza’s rural architecture.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"gatepac\"<\/span><\/p>\n

During the 30s intellectuals from various fields visited Ibiza, getting some of them to spend long periods on the island. Among them were architects belonging to the GATEPAC group, like Josep Llu\u00eds Sert and German Rodriguez Arias, aswell as fellow German architect Erwin Broner. All of them were fascinated by traditional Ibizan architecture. Above all they found Ibiza’s traditional finca as an austere, practical and fully functional home, representing perfectly the basics of concept and identity of modern architecture. Although long before the minimalist discipline and the Bauhaus school, these architects were surprised at how the Ibizan finca mostly met the guidelines that marked this new trend. The ibizan rural house fascinated by its simplicity, the functionality of each element, its integration into the landscape, all built in a rational way that captivated these modern architects of the time.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Josep Llu\u00eds Sert (left)<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

As architect Josep Llu\u00eds Sert explains, according to a transcript of his speeches in the symposium held at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Ibiza in 1973, when it comes to Ibiza’s traditional rural architecture:<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\n<\/span>\u00abThis simple, white, rational architecture had a dimension and a human scale. The houses were obeying human needs and not responding to architectural orders of other times and cultures. We saw that this special and popular architecture had some constants. We could not tell what century this or that house was build, as this became irrelevant, because hardly anything changed in this type of architecture over the centuries. It was a perpetuation of forms endorsed by use. \u00ab<\/span><\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And it is especially in the <\/span>perpetuation of forms endorsed by use<\/i><\/span> and in the <\/span>obedience to human needs<\/i><\/span>, where we find the main link between the Ibizan rural architecture and architectural minimalism. Also, its possible to see that the traditional Ibizan finca<\/strong><\/a> meets most of the properties that define minimalist architecture:<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0
\n<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"–Simplicity<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-Basic r<\/span>ectilinear geometry<\/span><\/span>
\n–<\/span>Fa\u00e7ade importance<\/span><\/span>
\n–Literal use of material<\/span><\/span>
\n–Austerity. Absence of ornaments<\/span><\/span>
\n–Structural and functional purism<\/span><\/span>
\n–R<\/span>eduction and synthesis<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-Consolidation<\/span><\/span>
\n-Abstraction<\/span>
\n-Economy of means<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/h4>\n

And, if the remaining three characteristics (Dematerialization, Order, Industrial production and standardization) are not being met or only partially, it is more due to technological advances and resources not available at that time, than due to a logical or natural development by this architectural discipline to comply with them.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The modern concept of the Ibizan fincas build by the architects of Blakstad Design Consultants, founded by Rolph Blakstad<\/strong><\/a>, could in fact represent what could be the natural evolution of the Ibizan rural architecture into a modern version of itself. To adapt to modern trends and requirements, these homes have been appropriated with minimalist elements to solve some of the major problems of the old fincas, but with a strong influence of traditional Ibizan finca design. The availability of modern materials, techniques and machinery allows, among others, to raise ceilings, structures that increase exterior light, roomy and diaphanous interior spaces and to expand sizes of rooms and entrances.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t