The architect Navarro Javier Domingo de Miguel, author of the book «Heliodoro Dols. Tradition, modernity, authenticity» (asymmetric editions), emphasized that Dols is an architect to «discover» beyond his most emblematic work, the Sanctuary of Torrecidad, an «epic» that, according to Miguel Dom, should not be visited, according to Miguel. Only by pilgrims moved by faith, but also by «pillars of architecture.»
«The completion of that historiographical objective. That the figure of this architect had a certain recognition for what he is, for what he did. And in Torrecidad there were pilgrims, but also there were architecture pilgrims, people were there to see the architecture and really enjoy the architecture,» Javier Domingo de Miguel had an interview. Modernity, authenticity «, which appeared on Thursday at the Official College of Architects of Madrid.
The book explores the activity of Heliodoro Dols, architect of promoting the CX of the School of Architecture Madrid, analyzing his concentration on tradition, modernity, and authenticity in the context of the Madrid organization.
Miguel Domingo, who worked for several years on Dols’ team, decided to write his doctoral thesis on the figure of this architect who in 1965 was a national architecture award with Antonio López for the design of the Alcalde Flexus (SEGOVIA).
«I really discovered a worthy character,» said Javier Domingo de Miguel, emphasizing that Dols was from a generation whose «great» architects like Fernando Higueras, Luis Peña Genchegui, or Curro Inza appeared.
His most well-known work is Torrecidad (1975) in Huesca – one of the most significant examples of Spanish sacred architecture of the 20th century, in the author’s opinion, «an epic,» but he emphasizes that Dols’ work goes much further.
The housing of El Carmen in Logroño is also his; Peñalba Collegio in Zaragoza, Mayor Peñafiel School in Valladolid, or the management of the environment and houses in Plaza de San Bruno in Zaragoza. His work shows a culture of the organic.
Among other things, he has several works in Barbastro, such as Casa Escarivá, the Church dedicated to San Josemaría, or the Monument of Rafael Fernández de Vega; He made the monastery of the barefoot Carmelite in Huesca; The courts in Boltaña and also signed the technical report to declare the preferential rehabilitation area of the historic district in Boltaña, as well as the partial plan Samper Llano (JACA).
While he sat in Zaragoza and there was still no Internet, Dols’ figure has not become as visible as others outside this city. «This was done by a media figure, a visible figure. He is very beloved by Zaragoza, but did not transcend all backgrounds,» says Domingo de Miguel.
Regarding his research, he emphasized that the body of the same is the «archive,» something «truly valuable,» in which he discovered plans for over 50 years, drawn on tracing paper with «a lot of primary dedication, a lot of dedication, and many details» and handwritten letters.
Specifically, in Torrecidad, Domingo de Miguel highlighted the integration of the work into the landscape; The roofs and buildings seeking sunlight or brick as the main material, which refers to popular architecture, in the land «, although with concrete structural elements.
The project was developed between 1963 and 1969; In 1970, work began, and the sanctuary opened in 1975.
Regarding the architectural criticism he received, Domingo de Miguel says he discovered a letter from Antonio Lamela, «a luminary in architecture,» to César Ortiz Ecgagüe, dated 1976 «, in which he stated that he was in Torrrecidad and that it seemed like an extraordinary work.»
During the book presentation on Thursday, the dean of the College of Architects, Sigfrido Herráez Rodríguez; Carlos Labarta Aizzn and Miguel Ángel Alonso del Val, professors from universities in Zaragoza and Navarra; and the director of architecture at the University of Navarra, Carlos Naya Villaverde.
Herráez highlighted Dols’ deep connection with Madrid, the school, and the architects, and Alonso del Val said he is «one of the great architects of the 20th century in Spain.» «He wanted a modern architecture, with a critical reflection to defend popular architecture,» he said.
For his part, Carlos LaBarta praised «the great intellectual curiosity, with a constant search and professionalism that decided to compete a lot and from a very young age,» while Labarta emphasized «the use of brick presentation in Torrecidad, with an internal and monumental aspect, for which he visited all of Araagon.
The Director of the School of Architecture at the University of Navarra, Carlos Naya, praised «the generosity and order of DOL with his archive that allowed for this book to be made,» which «will be very useful to understand Torrecidad.» Additionally, he proposed that the high Aragonese enclosure be «a center of reference, study, and research on sacred architecture.»
