On the eve of the prestigious European Hotel Design Awards, Spanish architect Carlos Gilardi, nominated for Best New Build for his work on SHA Wellness Clinic, speaks to DESPOKE.
1. What made you want to become an architect in the first place?
I studied engineering for 2 years and then decided to change direction to architecture, as I wanted my work to be appreciated and seen by others from a design point of view.
2. Where did you study architecture?
First the University of Montevideo in Uruguay and then the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona
3. Were you interested in architecture and design as a child? What was the first thing you designed?
No, my interest began when I was 18 years old. My first project was designing a family house in Punta del Este in Uruguay, at the same time I also designed a disco in a beach bar.
4. How do you define good architecture?
A good architect is someone that is able to adapt their design to a clients needs. For example I have worked on many different projects from SHA Wellness Clinic to school buildings.
5. What would you be if not an architect?
Nothing! No probably something completely different like a sailor.
6. Which project of yours are you most proud of and why?
The project that I’m the most proud of is SHA Wellness Clinic, in Albir, Spain. The building is a contemporary Mediterranean designed in harmony with the landscape with interconnecting bridges numerous gardens and spacious terraces to reflect the peace and tranquillity of the spa. SHA’s founders put a lot of faith in me allowing me to expand my creative horizons.
7. Anything in your career you wish you’d done differently?
No
8. Which architects do you most admire?
Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris) and Norman Foster
9. Which building do you wish you’d designed/do you think is an example of good architecture?Spain’s iconic Muslim palace the Alhambra in Granada.
10. Tell me about the style of your home?
It’s quite similar to SHA actually. It’s a minimalist and open plan design, there’s lots of glass allowing natural light to filter in.
SHA is a wellness clinic devoted to significantly improving and prolonging health, happiness and well-being via a blend of ancient oriental disciplines and revolutionary western techniques. Alongside a modern macrobiotic system of diet, the clinic offers alternative health practices, natural therapies, healthy-ageing treatments, genetics and medical wellness, as well as aesthetic medicine.
The European Hotel Design Awards 2009 is a prestigious event in the world of hotel design and the high level judging panel includes Robert Cook of Malmaison, Simon Ford of Intercontinental Hotel Group, Tim Mutton of Blacksheep and Jeremy Blake of Purcell Miller Tritton.
www.carlosgilardi.com/
www.shawellnessclinic.com
Tags: Barcelona, Carlos Gilardi, European Hotel Design Awards, Le Corbusier, Norman Foster, SHA Wellness Clinic, spanish architecture, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, University of Montevideo
