AD June: a small trailer of what you can find
In a movie, nothing is impossible. The affection between two strangers appears after meeting at dawn in a hotel bar, in a city where no one else seems to understand them; a loner falls in love with the voice emanating from an artificial intelligence device, finding humanity where there apparently should be none; two friends and a nun change the course of their lives thanks to a Christian summer camp… However, there are times when, as they say, reality is stranger than fiction. In the letter that opens the number of A.D. June, Maite Sebastiá, Head of Editorial Content of the magazine, remembers the day when Raúl Hinarejos, CEO of Viraje, arrived at the editorial office with the best of arguments: “The Javis were building the house of their dreams and we would be witnesses of the process and materialization of that dream.”. Now, three years later, we have finally been able to see the result of what was a sketch at that time. Both directors star in a cover that promises to stay forever in our retinas.; first for the spectacular library that stands behind them, where they treasure their large collection of books and, second, for showing us that work has its reward and that dreams do come true.
More than 190 pieces of white concrete make up what is the new lair of creators in Madrid. A puzzle of absolute precision that bears the signature of Benjamin Iborra – from the Mesura studio and author of the creative project – and the seal of Viraje’s construction technique, through its Ubiko brand, specialized in industrialized homes. “Making this house has been like shooting a movie. When we carry out a project we always like to bring people together, bring together talent and take advantage of different visions to create something new,” the Javises tell Iñaki Laguardia.
Diplo in the library, wearing a Brunello Cucinelli shirt, pants and shoes; and glasses by Jacques Marie Mage. Next to it there are French armchairs from the 1950s in Glant fabric and a speaker sculpture by the Spanish artist Lucas Muñoz Muñoz.Photo: Frank Frances Studio.
Side view of the house, northeast of Jamaica, work of Freecell Architecture and Gia Wolff.Photo: Frank Frances Studio.
From one movie house we went to another. If Calvo and Ambrossi’s is a signature piece, that of the DJ and producer Diplo is quite a blockbuster. Located in the heart of the Jamaican jungle, the Grammy winner’s is a home designed for enjoyment. Also made of concrete, its imposing structure is softened by the landscape and the pool over which it rises. Inside, to the private part we must add a complete recording studio and a gym. “It was crazy to build it.”, he confesses, citing the countless challenges he has faced, including guaranteeing basic services such as electricity or achieving convenient access by car to the property. Such a titanic task has been possible thanks to Lauren Crahan, from the Freecell Architecture studio, designer Gia Wolff, Sara Nataf, her former creative director, and Katelyn Hinden.
Second home
Although we are aware of the privileged place that domestic spaces occupy in our hearts –yes, there are always favorites even if we want to deny it–, there is also room in this number for hybrid constructions. This is the case of studio in Los Angeles by Giampiero Tagliferri (a star in the world of design), located in a building that once housed a martial arts gym, and which was transformed by architect Wes Jones into an avant-garde residence for a drummer from rock in 1999. “The volume of space is incredible, as is the light. It reminds me of the tectonic architecture of Paul Rudolph,” explains Tagliferri.
Less industrial and more with historicist airs is the home-studio of the creative duo Elisabet Urpí and Nacho Umpiérrez, founders of Eliurpi. These two hatters and creative directors of the 21st century live in a 17th century building, in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona. They do this thanks to the architect Mónica Recoder Canudas, from LLRRARQ, who has rehabilitated and conditioned it so that it houses not only the couple’s domestic space, but also her and her workshop. showroom. “Our house and our work are a reflection of who we are,” they assure Mariona Rubio as soon as she enters.
Tagliaferri poses perched on the mobile bridge that slides through the atrium, in front of his office.Photo: Billal Taright.
The living room of Eliurpi’s house-studio. In it we see several of his last pieces, such as the sculpture Organic I or the modular sofa You and I, on linen, edited by Studio Bañón. In the background, one of the bedrooms, currently converted into an office.
Production: Mariona Rubio. Photos: César Segarra.
The shared genius
Of course, in June we also have time to look back. A past that, yes, seems brought from the future. In addition to being one of the leading European experts in urban planning, bioclimatic and pneumatic architecture and light structures, Jose Miguel De Prada Poole, who died in 2021, adds to his achievements by becoming an AD Icon this month. Beatriz González speaks with Manuel Segade, director of the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid since 2023, and Antonio Cobo, custodian of the architect’s legacy, to portray this man ahead of his time who knew how to foresee the challenges we now face . “His work has a lot to do with fundamental interests of contemporary art: sustainability and the fight against climate change,” reflects Segade.
