12TH SPANISH BIENNIAL OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN

From year one, the Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urban Design, formerly known as the Biennial of Spanish Architecture, has integrated a series of activities specifically related to Architecture and organised by the many partner institutions. This travelling exhibition is one such activity and brings together works of the highest quality that have been nominated as finalists in each category of the Biennial event.   The slogan for the 12TH BEAU (Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urban Design) 2013 is Inflexión/Turning Point, alluding to the transformation that Spanish architecture is currently undergoing. The harsh economic reality is revealing the contradictions within an activity that, in recent times, has produced works of the very highest architectural quality as well as excessive, often abandoned or underexploited, projects. In the face of such a paradoxical reality, the 12th BEAU offers a chance to reflect on the issues that represent this turning point: the need to address sustainable construction, the protection of territory and countryside, the revitalisation of city centres and a switch from policies based on new construction to ones involving the conversion and reuse of existing structures and resources.   On this occasion, the exhibition project has been chosen by Nieto y Sobejano and is being run by the young architectural firm Taller de Casquería who, under the name Live Architecture, propose showcasing architecture in an approachable, dynamic way.  The aim is to highlight award-winning architecture in use, reflecting the different phases of activity and an understanding of spaces through their users. These are regarded as active agents, able to create diverse architectural experiences within the containing spaces designated by the panel of judges. Architecture is shown by way of two opposing rhythms: homogeneity marked by everyday life and rupture marked by the extraordinary. See the passage of time in its true magnitude, appreciate the changes and nuances of a space according to the moment in which one is confronted by it. Spatial transformation is encouraged along with the construction of a new space based on direct interaction with the user and its context.   Architecture is represented in real time. Based on the technology of CCTV systems, which can be found in the vast majority of our urban spaces, an installation is created especially for the 12th BEAU. A network of cameras uses live streaming technology to show those spaces considered to be the most representative of the biennial's selection. The exhibition hall is turned into a reception and visualisation centre where these images, which are usually restricted, are shown to visitors. The material on show is unpredictable and constantly evolving, thereby affording each visitor a unique perspective.   The spaces are: Matadero Cinemateque, Medialab Prado, the Museum of Pilgrimages and the City, the restoration and refurbishment of the racetrack at La Zarzuela Racecourse, the New Hertzian Library, the Galician Coastal Development Plan, the adaptation of Can Tacó Roman site, the rehabilitation of Vigo's Old Quarter, the Strategic Plan for the central area: the Madrid City Centre Project, Campo de la Cebada, Social Housing in San Vicente de Raspeig, the Castile-Leon regional government office building in Zamora, Pamplona Infant School, Cartagena Auditorium and Conference Centre and Lalín Town Hall.   On the opening day of the travelling exhibition, the first scheduled stop for which is Berlin (2014), there will also be a ceremony to present the awards to all the winners held at the Cineteca. At the same venue, a symposium will be held on 21 November. 

Organized by: Ministerio de Fomento, AC/E, CSCAE, Arquia, Matadero and UAAU
Sponsor: Fundación PECSA, EDHINOR S.A., Garotecnia, Vodafone, Fonestar and BQ
Executive Production: Ministerio de Fomento
Curators: Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano