Architects of Madrid: Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza
The industrial, technological and social advance that takes place throughout the XNUMXth century led architecture to evolve as a discipline to respond to new productive and housing needs, which were generated especially in cities. The progressive introduction of the avant-garde gave rise to a space of experimentation in which architects, more than a style, sought character. One of the most significant examples of this new generation is Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza,
Brief biographical sketch
Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza (Cáseda, Navarra, 1918 - Madrid, 2000)
Son of the architect Javier Sáenz Vallejo and María Oiza Sagüés, he was the oldest of nine siblings. Raised in Seville, after passing the two courses of Exact Sciences necessary to enter the School of Architecture, he moved to Madrid with his family to study. Disciple of teachers such as Torres Balbás, Luis Moya or López Otero, he graduated in 1946 obtaining an award for the best academic record.
The first professional recognition will arrive that same year when he receives, along with Luis Laorga, the National Architecture Award for his historicist project for the Plaza del Azoguejo de Segovia. Award that you will get back in 1954.
That approach changes in 1947, year in which he travels to the US with the Conde de Cartagena scholarship and comes into contact with American architecture, an experience that will mark his later style and that will make him one of the pioneers of modernity.
Oiza was linked to teaching through the School of Architecture, where he was Project Professor and Director, and in his studio worked young architects like Moneo, Fullaondo or Vellés, among many others.
In addition to the National Architecture Award on two occasions, he has been a Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts (1987) and Prince of Asturias for the Arts (1993). He continued working until his death on July 18, 2000.
Works
The new vision appears in the new Aránzazu basilica (Oñate, Guipúzcoa), in which artists such as Oteiza, Basterretxea or Chillida collaborate, and the Hispano-American Church of La Merced, in Madrid, a project by the Sáenz-Laorga tandem that prevails over the de authors of the stature of Fisac or Fernández Shaw.
Another segment developed by Sáenz de Oiza is residential, public and private architecture, especially between 1950-1970: more or less experimental constructions for the National Institute of Housing and the Employee's Home, or developments in Fuencarral, Batán or El Ruedo , next to the M-30.
They are mainly functional buildings, in which sometimes introduced features of the so-called organic architecture, a current that went through integrate construction, furniture and environment harmoniously, and which will be a key figure in Spain.
In this sense, private housing will be the one that gives you more room to experiment. In Madrid, the most representative work of this current will be Torres Blancas, a macro project of which only one of the buildings is built and which will be worth the COAM 1972 Award.
To this legacy are added administrative and institutional buildings in Madrid, such as La Triada, the new IFEMA fairground or the BBVA Tower. Outside the Community of Madrid, it is worth highlighting the Santander Festival Palace or the Torre Triana, built for the Andalusian Government in Seville.
Image gallery
