The University's School of Architecture building receives the Iberian DoCoMoMo plaque

Between 1975 and 1978, architects Carlos Sobrini Marín, Eugenio Aguinaga Churruca and Rafael Echaide Itarte gave life to the building of the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra. 46 years later, in an event co-organized by the School of Architecture and the high school Oficial de Arquitectos Vasco-Navarro (COAVN) at framework of the World Architecture Week, the plaque of the Iberian DoCoMoMo. This distinction recognizes the value of 20th century buildings that are part of the Modern Movement (1925-1975).

The president of COAVN, Santiago Iribarren, opened the event: "In addition to being a masterpiece of architecture, the School of Architecture has been and is a place of training for many generations of architects, including myself meeting. We started degree program in the Library Services building in 1977 and in 1978 we moved here. We saw the construction of this building that combines innovation, technology, order, beauty and, in addition, brings wellbeing, development, health and productivity".

The value of this building transcends the architectural for those who spend their days in it, as highlighted by the director of the School of Architecture, Carlos Naya: "It is an example for all of us and for those who study at the School of something that perhaps in times of difficulty is not obvious: making good architecture is always worthwhile. Even if they don't recognize it or do it later, it is a gift to humanity. Those of us who inhabit the building almost 50 years later, every day we thank its creators for the great gift they gave us."

Carlos Naya, director of the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra, placed the Iberian DoCoMoMo plaque on the facade of the building. PHOTO: Manuel Castells.

Also speaking at the event was the delegate of the Iberian DoCoMoMo Foundation in Navarra and professor at School of Architecture José Manuel Pozo: "This is one of the most avant-garde buildings in the Iberian DoCoMoMo register. Its structure speaks of what it is and what it does, it is a building in which one learns and which in itself teaches; it is made for the movement of people, for the boulevard, which is the home, the core, the basic element. And, remembering Professor Álvaro d'Ors, he used to say that a student is formed in the corridors and in the cafeterias. It is one of the best architecture schools in the world, precisely because it has what it needs to train university students: a huge corridor where you can talk, chat and exchange knowledge and experiences".

The event was also attended by the COAVN: the General Manager, Víctor Otero; and the board member of Culture, Begoña García, as well as part of the board directive and the professor team of the School of Architecture, and also students.

The delegate of the Iberian DoCoMoMo Foundation in Navarra and professor at School of Architecture José Manuel Pozo dedicated a few words about the building. PHOTO: Manuel Castells.

35 buildings in Navarre, 6 of which are in the campus

The DoCoMoMo Foundation (Documentation and Conservation of Architecture and Urbanism of the Modern Movement) Ibérico is an international organization whose purpose is to inventory, disseminate and protect the architectural heritage of the 20th century corresponding to the Modern Movement (1925-1975), in this case, of Spain and Portugal. "The Foundation chooses World Architecture Day to pay tribute to these buildings. This year 34 plaques have been placed and, for the past 12 years, in total, the Foundation has installed 425," detailed Santiago Iribarren.

With the one at School of Architecture of the University of Navarra, there are 35 buildings in Navarra that are part of the Iberian DoCoMoMo. In the campus of the University of Navarra in Pamplona there are 6 of them: Sciences Building, university dining hall, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Clínica Universidad de Navarra Phase II, Library Services of the University of Navarra and now also School of Architecture.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUILDING