Josep Lluis Mateo Ideas and Buiidings 1992-1995

The Catalonian architect Josep Lluis Mateo has contributed to the recent revival of international interest in the architecture of Spain, and especially that of Barcelona, rescuing it from the relative obscurity of the last decades. Building on the outskirts and in urban gaps, and designing in large contexts but with respect for detail - these are typical of Mateo's architectural style. The Technical School in the hills of Santa Coloma de Gramanet creates a highly visible band in the landscape, while the restoration of the north Catalonian town of Ullastret transformed a sad ruin into an architectural 'still-life' of historical importance. After completing a series of university buildings, local centres, administrative and residential developments in and around Barcelona, Mateo followed a new path, especially with his project for the Paris Zoo. This volume documents 13 recent buildings and projects of Josep Lluis Mateo, including the development Joan Guell in Barcelona (1993), the residential building for the 'Housing Festival' in The Hague (1993), the Court in Santa Feliu de Guixols (1994), the competition entries for the Zoo in Paris (1993), the Hypo-Bank in Munich and the 'Lustgarten' in Berlin (1994), as well as his design for a tea service for Rosenthal.