Expert showcase: the XIII Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism opens its doors
The XIII Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (BEAU), Spain’s home-grown architectural celebration, has just opened at the Palace of Charles V of the Alhambra in Granada. The biennale, showing the best of the best of Spanish architecture from the last couple of years, includes a variety of work that spans heritage, urbanism and innovation, as well as research and outreach work.
Brought together under the title ‘Alternatives/Alternatives’, the large scale exhibit – the biennial’s 13th edition – shows 89 Spanish works that have been carefully selected by an expert jury from a rich pool of some 450 architectural projects and 32 publications, exhibitions, scholarly articles and blogs. Student work in the country is also well represented through the presence of top-of-the-class thesis projects.
The offerings range in scale and scope tremendously – from small-scale interventions and single-family houses, to larger public and civic work. However, they all share a common thread: excellence in design, flying the flag for great contemporary Spanish architecture.
Seen in its impressive architectural venue and Granada's magical surroundings, the event is a collaborative effort, directed and curated by local architects Begoña Díaz-Urgorri, Juan Domingo Santos and Carmen Moreno Alvarez.
Following up on Spain’s success at the Venice Architecture Biennale, where the Spanish pavilion scooped this year’s prestigious Golden Lion award, ‘Alternatives/Alternatives’ will be on show in Granada until October. Future plans include the display travelling to New York and then further afield internationally.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism’s website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Mighty Kia EV9 is the brand’s biggest electric vehicle. How does it scale up to its rivals?
We take the Kia EV9 – now in showrooms, in a wide range of versions – for a spin to see how the revitalised company handles the design of a big SUV
By Guy Bird Published
-
Kinsman cocktail bar shakes up Hong Kong scene with Cantonese spirits
Kinsman is a Cantonese cocktail bar in Hong Kong that celebrates traditional spirits while also creating innovative concoctions for the future
By Lauren Ho Published
-
Swatch and Tate have watches down to a fine art
Swatch x Tate watches are a joyful tribute to seven artists, including Matisse, Miró, and Louise Bourgeois
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Low-energy house in Catalonia minimises its footprint to make the most of its site
Alventosa Morell Arquitectes’ low-energy house in Catalonia nestles into the landscape
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Hortensia Herrero Art Centre puts Valencia on the contemporary art map
Hortensia Herrero Art Centre launches in Valencia, offering a home for contemporary art to sit side by side with archaeological treasures
By Blaire Dessent Published
-
Collective, Hong Kong and Spain: Wallpaper* Architects Directory 2023
With bases in Hong Kong and Spain, Collective joins the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023, our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Nicolás y Nicolás, Spain and Ecuador: Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023
With offices in Spain and Ecuador, Nicolás y Nicolás is part of the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023, our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
This light-filled Spanish house is defined by openness and geometry
A Spanish house by Arquitecturia Camps Felip is designed around its courtyards and its six volumes’ bold geometry
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Spain’s Casa Primitiva is ruled by simplicity
The pared-back Casa Primitiva by Hanghar fits in perfectly in its semi-rural Spanish context
By TF Chan Published
-
Architecture for animals leads the way at this school for dogs
Details are designed with dogs in mind at Spain’s Educan School for Dogs, Humans and Other Species
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Bold graphics and clever interventions define this Barcelona house redesign
Nestled amongst the Roman archaeological remains and buzzing eateries of the Borne district of Barcelona, BSP 20 is Raul Sanchez Architects' latest residential project
By Martha Elliott Last updated