Last friday I had a date with Renzo Piano. He was in Santander explaining his next project in the city: The Botin Foundation. Some architects in the city with old mentality are against change. Here is very common. Sometimes they are right, for sure; but they control many things here and don´t give a chance to change the way of living and the city. The result is that this city is so bored, cold and old.
But, fortunately I think youthfulness is arrived and I feel very hopeful about it.
Here I wanted to resume with some quotes of Mr Piano the poetry and the reasons of the project.
An architect must listen to people and listen to places because places tells stories,
like here: the story is about light and water.
City and civilization are almost the same thing (cittá é civiltá, ciudad y civilización).
Places for art make better cities, they become objects of pride.
Light here is very soft and very gentle
North light doesn´t blind.
Cities needs to be fertilized with this kind of places.
For more information about the project click here.
I have to admit that when a project like this lands in Santander I can't help feeling suspicious about it. And even more if I think from whom it comes, Emilio Botín.
ResponderEliminarI think that it's necessary more than a fancy building to create culture in a city like Santander, where the mainstream goes in one way and the people and their production of culture goes another way. Don't forget that in Santander there are a lot of people who write, play music, desing, etc, etc...
What of all those activities will have a reflection in the new space by Piano? I do not know but I seriously doubt it.
I like the building, it's modern and you're right about the need of innovation in Santander. Across Europe you can easily see some bays that have took the most about it becoming a leisure centre with museums and cultural centres along its pier. It's something good but, as always in Santander, I don't trust about the way that it will bring innovation and health. Let's wait and see...
Mery.