Galindo bridge between Sestao and Barakaldo, Guipuzcoa. Manterola, 2007. Photos: Jabi Garrido
Javier Manterola is one of the greatest engineers that has given this country in the last century. Is Academic of Fine Arts and the National Engineering Award. His long connection with the calculation of structures and performing exquisite bridges Spanish geography filled memorable constructions.
The Navarre Manterola is a maverick in the engineering landscape, since they always try to go beyond the technical resolution of calculus problems to introduce a personal aesthetic expression. It is an artistic endeavor that stems from a deep love of knowledge and technology that lets you achieve a personal way to build.
Torres Blancas in Madrid.
For many years architects collaborate with relevant being discreet in the background despite the enormous effort to achieve structures in the limit of the possible. Is known for his collaboration with Francisco Saenz de Oiza in the definition of organic forms of his famous Torres Blancas in Madrid, built 1964.
Armisen Bridge in Cordoba. J. Manterola, 2003
However, most of his work is reflected in a collection of delicate and magnificent bridges that are the envy of his colleagues along and across the world. In the Basque can find a concentrated representation of their designs, situated on rivers that cross the city and its rural landscapes, as reflected in this report of Bilbao under construction.
In 2004, together with some collaborators, publish a book critical to understand its technical design of structures and entitled Javier Manterola: thought and deed. It is an orderly presentation of his many projects and works while reasoning about the way these are designed and planned bridges both characterize him and authoring.
Proposed bridge over the river Segre as it passes through Lleida. J. Manterola, 2002. Image: Skyscrapercity
In 2004, together with some collaborators, publish a book critical to understand its technical design of structures and entitled Javier Manterola: thought and deed. It is an orderly presentation of his many projects and works while reasoning about the way these are designed and planned bridges both characterize him and authoring.
There we have a poem by Paul Valéry reflecting artistic emotion that all technical and constructive creation emerges. It reads:
Anyone who has not ever felt,
Even in dreams!…
the adventure of a finished building
When others see only the beginning ...
Anyone who has not noticed in the white paper
an image as possible so uneasy,
and the cry of all the signs that will not be chosen,
not seen in the transparent air
the work that is yet to be born ...
It knows no matter how great his knowledge,
The richness and breadth stimulus and
spiritual
that lights the conscious act of building.
Javier Manterola in Barrie de la Masa Foundation, La Coruna. Photos: Victor Echave
Here is a link also interview held to mark its presence in Corunna to deliver a lecture on the Engineering in Romanticism and that reflects in a shallow their thinking.
