The Rezola Cement Museum takes an interest in Architecture with Elisa Valero's exhibition, ‘Concrete Work’

2017 September 25

The Rezola Cement Museum is one of the cultural actors from Gipuzkoa involved in the I International Architecture Biennial, 'MUGAK'. It is participating with a temporary exhibition to be held in the museum: ‘Concrete Work’, by Elisa Valero.

This exhibition shows one of the fields of experimentation Granada architecture has been working with, reinforced concrete."Since its inception and throughout 20 years of work, Elisa Valero's architectural studio has been a space for reflection and action, born out of an unwavering hope for a better future", explain the museum officials.

For their part, the trajectory of the Rezola Cement Museum is characterised by their commitment to "generate and offer quality contents in the field of architecture, from different perspectives and with the collaboration of a large number of experts". In this sense, they emphasise their interaction with architecture: "Once more, we approach this discipline from an integrating perspective that highlights its relationship with and commitment to society, the environment and life".

The museum views Elisa Valero's exhibition as a show that will be attractive for everyone. "Architecture is a discipline present in the day-to-day life of people. Elisa Valero's work is current and for the future. This exhibition displays works that are just the beginning of an investigation journey with ongoing projects.  Elisa's studio continues to work with the conviction that a more human architecture that reaches everyone will lead to a fairer society".

‘Concrete Work’ is “an overview of ten works that delves into the possibilities offered by concrete and the construction systems that enable its optimisation. The last piece is the actual exhibition panel, a double-folded 180x180 sheet made in one centimetre thick high performance concrete manufactured by FYM- Heildelberg Cement”, explain the museum officials.

And they add: “This investigation began in 1996, with the restoration of ‘Manantiales’, the most iconic work of Félix Candela. Thus, a journey began in Mexico looking at the design of structures as a fundamental factor for formalising architecture and the possibilities offered by industry to develop new materials for the sake of rationality and economy of means. During this century, a concern for the environment and sustainability has been added to the mix. Reducing the consumption of materials and energy is not just economically advantageous but is also an ethical requirement for all the inhabitants of this little planet”.

For the managers of the Rezola Cement Museum, MUGAK's interdisciplinary programme, “where not only architects, but sociologists, writers, museums, art centres, etc. will participate, is the ideal way for the Biennial to achieve one of its objectives: bring architecture closer to society."