Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem & Ramon Vilalta

The work of the Catalan firm RCR Arquitectes was, until its founders won the 2017 Pritzker Prize this month, little-known worldwide, with appreciation of their projects largely restricted to the few European locations in which they have built and a number of well-informed academics.
Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem and Ramon Vilalta founded their office in the small town of Olot almost 30 years ago, and most of their work for the past three decades have been built in the surrounding regions of Catalonia. Pritzker jury has pointed out, one of their greatest qualities is their ability to show how architects can have "our roots firmly in place and our arms outstretched to the rest of the world."
"Their works admirably and poetically fulfil the traditional requirements of architecture for physical and spatial beauty along with function and craftsmanship, but what sets them apart is their approach that creates buildings and places that are both local and universal at the same time.“
The Pritzker Jury Citation 2017
Design philosophy:
Mr. Pritzker remarks:
“The jury has selected three architects who have been working collaboratively for nearly three decades. Mr. Aranda, Ms. Pigem and Mr. Vilalta have had an impact on the discipline far beyond their immediate area. Their works range from public and private spaces to cultural venues and educational institutions, and their ability to intensely relate the environment specific to each site is a testament to their process and deep integrity.”
Their near three-decade-long professional relationship has demonstrated “an unyielding commitment to place and its narrative” in order to create spaces that are in discourse with their respective contexts. By “harmonizing materiality with transparency, Aranda, Pigem and Vilalta seek connections between the exterior and interior” resulting in an architecture which is “both emotional and experiential.”
In 2013, the three architects founded the RCR BUNKA Foundation to “support architecture, landscape, arts and culture throughout society.”
Glenn Murcutt, Jury Chair:
“The collaboration of these three architects produces uncompromising architecture of a poetic level, representing timeless work that reflects great respect for the past, while projecting clarity that is of the present and the future.” As such, an early 20th century foundry has become their office, Barberí Laboratory (2007), and many remnants of the original building have remained, blended with highly contrasting, new elements, which were added only where essential.
Awards and achievement:
Noteworthy Achievements are:
1988 - First prize for completion for designing lighthouse
2005 - National Award for culture in Architecture, Catalonian government
2008 and 2014: The French Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
2010 -Honorary Fellows of the American Institute of Architecture
2012 -International Fellows of the Royal Institute of British Architects
2015 - Gold Medal by French Académie d’Architecture
2017 - Pritzker Architecture Prize
In 2013, Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, and Ramon Vilalta started RCR BUNKA Foundation to support architecture in society. For three decades, they have been working collaboratively.
Exhibitions: Aranda, Pigem and Vilalta have participated in important exhibitions including:
The III Salon International de l’Architecture in Paris in 1990;
The Venice Biennale of Architecture 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014 and 2016;
MoMA’s On-Site: New Architecture in Spain, New York, 2006;
Global Ends at Toto Gallery MA in Tokyo, 2010; and
RCR Arquitectes. Shared Creativity in Barcelona, 2015 and Madrid, 2016.
Miscellaneous:
Since 1989, Aranda, Pigem and Vilalta have served as consultant architects to the Natural Park in the Volcanic Zone of La Garrotxa.
They have taught urbanism, landscape architecture and design studio at ETSAV from 1989-2001, and individually served as critics for diploma project juries at ETSAV and Escola Tècnica Superior d’Arquitectura de Barcelona throughout the past two decades.
In 2012, they established an international summer workshop at their studio based in the Barberí Laboratory.
Notable works:
Bell-Lloc Winery, Palamós, Spain [2007]
Tossols - Basil Athletics Track, Olot, Girona, Spain [2000]
La Lira Theatre Public Open Space, Ripoll, Girona, Spain [2011]
Sant Antoni - Joan Oliver Library, Senior Citizens Centre and Cándida Pérez Gardens, Barcelona, Spain [2007]
Soulages Museum, Rodez, France [2014]
Barberí Laboratory, Olot, Girona, Spain [2008]
El Petit Comte Kindergarten, Besalú, Girona, Spain [2010]
Les Cols Restaurant Marquee, Olot, Girona, Spain [2011]
La Cuisine Art Centre, Nègrepelisse, France [2014]
Row House, Olot, Girona, Spain [2012]
Quotes:
"This type of conversation takes you to unexpected places. It's almost a reaction against the contemporary world that has promoted, in and exaggerated way, the value of the individual."