Expressionist
architecture (roughly, 1905-1935) utilized emerging technology and
unexpected building blocks to realize organic forms. This meant that
structures were inspired largely by the forces of nature (rock
formations, sloping mountain sides, seashells…) but were built under
modernist principles. Consequently, there was a large focus on
unconventional massing; novel materials created shapes that served
function as equally as the pursuit of emotional expression. There was
nothing subtle about this sort of architecture and the urge to push the
boundaries of proper form has afforded us with incredible buildings to
admire many years later. Not least of which are Joaquin Vaquero
Palacios’ hydroelectric plants.
Though he began to design his
famed hydroelectric plants in the 50’s (far after the heyday of
expressionism), the links to it are undeniable. He came of age exactly
as this movement’s trajectory swelled. Born to a father who was one of
the founders of Spain’s Hidroeléctrica del Cantábrico, it wasn’t a far
stretch for Vaquero Palacios to lend his imaginative mind to this
unlikely branch of engineering, and to take the principals of
expressionism along with him. The Proaza plant, for example, opened in
1968. The multi-planar facade resembles the rocky side of a mountain,
concrete “glaciers” pierce the landscape. It’s bold and unconventional,
and seems to far outshine its singular purpose as a hydroelectric plant.
This is what is so beautiful about Vaquero Palacios and his dedication
to the seemingly mundane.
It’s easy to question why one would
spend a career on the design of these sorts of buildings. Why do they
deserve such thoughtful attention? To this, Vaquero Palacios responded:
“All our day-to-day activities are saturated so we need to be appeased
in some way to survive the tensions which we are subjected to.” It’s
simple, he believed in the power of granting attention to the simple
things, to the the places and the routines we take for granted. This
idea, to bring artistic dignity to every aspect of our lives, is
something we work towards as well, and it’s a philosophy we are so happy
he had.
The images we have here are of various plants he completed during his over thirty year career.
