For years, Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano have numbered among the most distinguished representatives of Spain's contemporary architectural scene.
For Expo 2008 in Zaragoza (Spain), Nieto Sobejano have designed a new Congress Center. May 2008 we will see the opening of their highly acclaimed Madinat al Zahra Archaeological Museum in Córdoba. Although consistently contemporary in design and choice of forms, Nieto Sobejano have nonetheless succeeded here in realizing an architectural language that is simultaneously responsive to the surrounding historic buildings yet independent of them. They have long since achieved success throughout Europe: In Graz, whose Old Town has been designated a World Heritage Site, Nieto Sobejano are involved in two projects: the expansion of the Landesmuseum Joanneum and the construction of a new roofscape for the Kastner & Öhler Department Store. In Halle / Sachsen-Anhalt, they are currently extending the new exhibition wing of the historic Moritzburg, scheduled to open on 12 December 2008 after three years of construction. The historical substance found in this late medieval castle complex - and representing a variety of stylistic epochs - has been linked by Nieto Sobejano to a contemporary architectural language, thereby rendering this richly traditional setting accessible in the present. The artistic facade design of same projects were developed together with wellknown artists: San Telmo Museum with Ferrán + Otero, the Merida Auditorium with Esther Pizarro and the Cordoba Art Center with Realities United.
The overview of Nieto Sobejano's current activities is embedded in an ambitious exhibition design, one that mirrors the forms of their current projects, which models will be presented in the foyer of Kunsthaus Graz. Enthralling spatial effects, sophisticated materiality, and sculptural design are united here in conjunction with the featured projects to form an unmistakable architectonic approach - the one responsible for the success of Nieto Sobejano. Ample testimony to the fact that this Spanish team is making an important contribution to the ongoing development of high-quality contemporary European architecture.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008/Lecture
Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano
Before the exhibition opening the Spanish architects will discuss their current projects, e.g. the extension of Landesmuseum Joanneum or of the department store Kastner & Öhler. 5pm, Space04