Mediterranean Story: Casa Ugalde, José Antonio Coderch
Santa & Cole, Salva López, José Antonio Coderch
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Mediterranean Story: Casa Ugalde, José Antonio Coderch
Santa & Cole, Salva López, José Antonio Coderch
Casa Ugalde is located in Caldes d’Estrac, a small town north of Barcelona. It is one of the first masterpieces by the modernist architect José Antonio Coderch, in collaboration with Manuel Valls.
It was commissioned in 1951 by a friend of Coderch, the industrial engineer Eustaquio Ugalde, who loved to take walks on the hillside where the house stands. In this idyllic setting, the Ugalde family wanted to build a house that would blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings; nestled in the lush Mediterranean pine forest, with a spectacular panoramic sea view. With this in mind, Coderch and Valls built a series of volumes that grow out of nature, absorbing the serpentine topography and looking out to the endless sea.
An irregular construction, open-plan and free-flowing; formed by unique spaces that transform with natural light, and merge into the forest that slopes down to the blue waters.
The combination of this spontaneous structure with the use of materials typical of Mediterranean popular architecture—such as stone walls, tiled roofs and terracotta tiles—make Casa Ugalde a landmark of modern architecture. It was selected by the prestigious Japanese magazine a+u as one of the world’s 33 most important houses of the 20th century. In 2003, the Government of Catalonia declared Casa Ugalde a Cultural Asset of National Interest.
Our Nagoya, Tatu and Cesta family lamps enjoy privileged views in this unparalleled location.
Salva López
salvalopez.com
Santa & Cole
santacole.com
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