The context and legacy of Baliero’s work and Córdova

The Argentine School Our Lady of Luján in Madrid, of the Architects Horacio Baliero and Carmen Córdovais considered a symbol of modern architecture and cultural relations between Spain and Argentina.

Its innovative design, its landscape integration and his architectural legacy make him a reference for architects and architecture students.

Last February, just over 50 years of its inaugurationthe editorial of the Complutense University of Madrid published a book that brings together the shared reflections around the heritage value of the Colegio Mayor Argentino Nuestra Señora de Lujándebated during the international symposium “Landscape and heritage of modern architecture”, carried out in March 2023 by the Higher Technical School of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. This meeting was framed within the commemorative activities of the fiftieth anniversary of this emblematic institution.

The document is An exhaustive work That not only celebrates the anniversary of the Argentine College, but also offers a deep reflection on its architectural and cultural value. Through various approaches and analysis by academics and referents From both countries, the importance of preserving and assessing this heritage as a symbol of cultural integration and architectural modernity stands out.

Although the school foundation project began in 1947, it was in 1962 when the Argentine State officially managed before the Spanish government the transfer of land for its construction.

A year later, in 1963, the Board of the University City of Madrid granted freely and indefinitely a plot aimed at hosting a residence that would promote the Academic exchangescientific and cultural between Argentina and Spain.

This institution was conceived to accommodate students, researchers, artists and scientists from both countries, thus consolidating a Intellectual Cooperation Network and affective that will reflect Argentine cultural and humanistic wealth.

In 1964, the Ministry of Education and Justice of Argentina, with the support of the Central Society of Architects of Buenos Aires, organized a National Draft Contest.

The architects Carmen Córdova and Horacio Baliero were winners with a proposal that, years later, would materialize with the support of the Spanish architect Javier Feduchi. The official inauguration took place in 1971.

Designed in tune with the Topography of La Barranca de Moncloathe Argentine College allows a space experience where the environment is constantly revealed through carefully thought out perspectives, a reflection of the artistic approach of its creators.

The choice of brick as predominant material and his dialogue with the Madrid architecture of the time confer the building a contextual character that deeply links it with its urban and cultural environment.

Currently, the building continues to awaken admiration and raises, together with the management team, the permanent challenge of its conservation. His Recognition as architectural heritage of the city of Madrid It has the support of entities such as the Official College Foundation of Madrid and the Caja Madrid Foundation.

In their spaces, figures such as Jorge Luis Borges, José María Rosa and Ernesto Sábato, as well as outstanding representatives of Spanish culture such as Camilo José Cela and Julián Marías have left their mark.

Pablo Olalquiaga Bescós, vice -dean of the Official College of Architects of Madrid, describes the building as A “rare notice” of modern architecturehighlighting its exceptionality, originality and unique character.

“The brick facade juxtaposes different volumes, creating a controlled monumentality reminiscent of architects such as Coderch or Aalto”, Write. Describe the interior of the“ luminous and compressed school, with a spatial sensation that flows diagonally thanks to its broken section ”. And the representative scale and domesticity“ perfectly coordinated ”stand out.

In other writings, the history of the project is told, how two Argentine architects thought, thousands of kilometers, a building that welcomed its compatriots students in Spain. And then They went to live in Madrid to direct the workand discover that the plot was not that of the contest but that the idea was worth.

“When reading the book, one realizes that the pregnancy, process and work of this building are from a singularity that catcheslike its architecture, ”shares Olalquiaga Bescós.

The architect Nicolás Mariné, editor of the book, highlights the importance of reflect on the ways of conserving modern architectureits gardens and its mayor sets. Underline how the work combines several architectural references without losing its own character; And why its compositional solution and the relationship with the terrain make it impossible to disconnect it from the landscaped space that it has to the west.

Due to certain vicissitudes over the years, the building has had to be architecturally intervened on several occasions, especially for Solve damage on the deck. In that context, Mariné mentions that the debate on heritage conservation has acquired new dimensions and greater complexity in recent years.

The legacy of Baliero and Córdova exceeds the work of the Colegio Mayor. Bert “La Black” semblance.

In the chapter “The authors and their legacy” describes his architectural philosophy, and highlights his ethical commitment and partnerL and your focus on functionality and simplicity in architecture. “Perhaps what most impresses is that they have gathered such rare qualities in their people: a seductive, deep and intelligent speech, the beauty of their drawings, its architecture and exceptional human quality,” he wrote.

The phrase: “Architecture is to do something beautiful, but only with the strictly necessary”, Condense Baliero’s thought. Both, from the OAM group, an organization of modern architecture, promoted modern architecture in Argentina in the 50s, when traditional styles were still studied in the faculty.

The use of brick at the Colegio Mayor influenced his subsequent Argentine work. Baliero highlighted the complex texture of the brick and its ability to evoke the history of architecture. “The brick does not pay royalties”, another of its famous phrases.

The book can be downloaded for free on the web www.ucm.es/edition