Architects

What is an architect?

In its Greek origin, the word architect literally meant chief builder. Today, an architect is a highly specialized professional in charge of designing, planning, and supervising small, medium, and large-scale construction projects. To practice, an architect must have a university degree and be registered in the area where they work.

In carrying out their work, architects must take many aspects into account; these may be functional, aesthetic, environmental, cultural, technical, economic, and so on. In developing an entire project, architects work closely with a team of other professionals, such as engineers, contractors, etc.

What connection is there between architecture and development? 

A job well done in terms of architectural design means respecting the site’s history where the project will be done while looking towards the future. Architects and engineers develop and build (or take part in) innovative, quality infrastructures with originality and personality in order to impact the complete development of an urban center, region, or country. The outcome of this work will become a reference point and basis for developing future architectural projects and will remain in the collective imagination of thousands of people.

What relationship has Ferrovial had with architects?

Collaboration with leading world-class architects has allowed Ferrovial to carry out some of the most vibrant projects in recent times, including:

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao:

One of the most iconic buildings of deconstructivist architecture. It has been recognized with various awards and has had a huge impact on the city’s tourist activity, establishing Bilbao as a cultural reference point worldwide.

It was designed by Canadian architect Frank Gehry (1929), who trained at the University of Southern California, Harvard, the Graduate School of Design (also at Harvard), and the USC School of Architecture. In addition to being an architect, he is a sculptor and designer. His notable works also include 8 Spruce Street, the Louis-Vuitton Foundation, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Stata Center, the Biomuseum, and the Weisman Art Museum. Gehry is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Royal Academy of Arts, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Heathrow Airport T2:

Destined to become the greenest airport in all of Europe, the London airport terminal is implementing innovative technologies that will reduce the carbon footprint by 40%. Luis Vidal + Architects are the concept and lead architects for Heathrow’s Terminal 2 and are collaborating with Pascall + Watson during the fit out phase. Foster + Partners were the Heathrow Airport master planners and the East terminal building concept architects during the initial project phase.

Norman Foster (1935) was born in Manchester, England, and trained at the Burnage Academy for Boys, Yale University, Manchester University, and the Yale School of Architecture. He is an architect, politician, and designer, and his notable works are 30 St. Mary Axe and the Reichstag building (Berlin). Foster is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Berlin Academy of Arts, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Academy of Architecture.

As for Luis Vidal (1969), he was born in Barcelona and studied Architecture at the University of Greenwich. His other notable works include the Zaragoza Airport, the Can Misses Hospital (Ibiza), and the Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital (Vigo). Vidal is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Madrid College of Architects, and the American Institute of Architects of New York.

Barajas Airport T4:

The spectacular structure of the Madrid terminal was designed by the prestigious British architect Richard Rogers (1933). Rogers was educated at St. John’s School (Leatherhead), Yale University, Kingswood House School, the Architectural Association School of Architecture, and the Yale School of Architecture. He is an architect, politician, and designer. His notable works include the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, the Millennium Dome, the Pompidou Center, the Lloyd’s Building, and the European Court of Human Rights. Rogers is a member of the Royal Academy of Arts and the Academy of Architecture.

City of Justice:

This polychromatic set of buildings unifies the judicial bodies of the city of Barcelona in a single structure to enhance functionality and efficiency, both for professionals and citizens. It was developed by English architect David Chipperfield (1953).

Chipperfield is an architect, university professor, and designer. He studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture at Kingston University and is a member of the Royal Academy of Arts. Other notable works by him are the Museum of Modern Literature and the Figge Art Museum.

Other important works that Ferrovial has participated in are:

• The CaixaForum Building (Madrid), designed by the Swiss team composed of Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron.
• The expansion of the Prado Museum by Rafael Moneo.
• The Bilbao Airport by Santiago Calatrava.
• T1 at the Barcelona Airport by Ricardo Bofill.
• The Madrid Chamber of Commerce Building by Rafael de la Hoz.
• The Delicias Station in Zaragoza by Carlos Ferrater.

Other great architects Ferrovial has worked with include Richard Gluckman, Carlos Lamela, Rem Koolhas, and Jean Nouvel.