"Boats, architecture at sea", is the name of the exhibition that can be visited until September 2 at the Barcelona Maritime Museum and which brings together the most spectacular boats designed by the greatest names in architecture. Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier and Zaha Hadid are just some of those who accepted the challenge of thinking, understanding and designing a boat..
Translating architectural knowledge into naval language was what a dozen illustrious names in that field did, some active and others already disappeared. The challenge of Alvar Aalto, David Chipperfield, Foster & Partners, Frank Gehry, Jørn Utzon, Lazzarini & Pickering, Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Ralph Erskine, Zaha Hadid Architects and Pier Luigi Merli, was translated into drawings, plans, photographs and models , which reflect the discourse they addressed, from the point of view of architecture, in the design of ships, confirming that there is not that much difference between conceiving a building and a ship.
Through the designs of the boats, the exhibition reviews anecdotes about the stories and even the names of the boats, such as that of Aalto who named his wooden motor boat with a bow sail “Nemo Propheta in Patria” (No one is prophet in his homeland), despite being a hero in his native Finland. EITHER “Rocinante” and “Dulcinea”, from Chipperfield, for his wife and children and who are moored in Vilanouva de Arousa, Galicia, the coastal town where they come on vacation year after year. He has taken such a liking to it that he is currently working with the prestigious shipyard Brenda Design on the concept of boats, leaving his architectural mark..
Norman Foster is a classic name if there ever was one and he did not hesitate to take his high level of cutting-edge technology to the sea. And Frank Gehry, another great man who has countless buildings behind him, such as the Guggenheim in Bilbao, is passionate about sailing and racing, and three years ago he designed his first boat, Foggy, an acronym for his name Frank Owen Gehry.
Curated by Benjamín Pleguezuelos, naval architect and engineer, the exhibition collects the data collected over the years and used by him to prepare his doctoral thesis “Space on the boat”, in addition to his research carried out at Southampton Solent University in the United Kingdom. “The ship has always fascinated architects, probably due to its size and shape, defined by real coincidences between appearance and need. In a boat, few designs are free, since the sea subjects it to constant difficult situations, both structural and buoyancy.".
And what better than to enjoy the exhibition and the city of Barcelona, in hotels that transmit maritime experiences. As is the case of Hotel W, known as Hotel Vela for its characteristic shape on the edge of Barceloneta beach, symbolizing another boat, and which was also designed by Ricardo Bofill. From 300 euros you can enjoy this wonder.
Another paradise that shakes hands with Neptune himself is undoubtedly the Hilton Diagonal del Mar, which from 219 euros offers luxury facilities to disconnect from the terrestrial world.
And of course the Hotel Arts and its characteristic sea sculpture with the renowned profile of the Golden Fish, designed in turn by Frank Gehry. Its infinity pool or its Michelin stars will delight the most exquisite palates who visit its facilities from 377 euros per night.
Rocked by the waves, smelling of saltpeter or looking for the best air current to set our sailboat on course, the result of the exhibition and the visit to Barcelona is certainly surprising, the best thing is to get on board to contemplate it.
Gala Mora
DESALAS Lifestyle
