The Navarrese architect Javier Domingo de Miguel, author of the book ‘Heliodoro Dols. Tradition, modernity, authenticity’ (Asymmetrical Editions), has emphasized that Dols is an architect «to be discovered» beyond his most emblematic work, the Sanctuary of Torreciudad, an «epic» that, according to Domingo De Miguel, should be visited not only by pilgrims driven by faith but also by «architectural pilgrims.»
«To fill that historiographical void. That the figure of this architect had some recognition for what he is, for what he has done. And in Torreciudad there are pilgrims, but also there should be architectural pilgrims, people going there to see the architecture and truly enjoy that architecture,» Javier Domingo de Miguel expressed in an interview with Europa Press, on the occasion of the publication of his book ‘Heliodoro Dols. Tradition, modernity, authenticity,’ which was presented this Thursday at the Official College of Architects of Madrid.
The book explores the work of Heliodoro Dols, an architect of the CX promotion of the School of Architecture of Madrid, analyzing his approach to tradition, modernity, and authenticity in the context of Madrid organicism.
Domingo de Miguel, who worked for a few years in Dols’ team, decided to write his doctoral thesis on the figure of this architect who in 1965 won the National Architecture Prize alongside Antonio López for the design of the fountain in the main square of Pedraza (Segovia).
«I have truly discovered a character worth knowing,» Javier Domingo de Miguel affirmed, highlighting that Dols was part of a generation from which «great» architects like Fernando Higueras, Luis Peña Ganchegui, or Curro Inza emerged.
His most famous work is Torreciudad (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 points out that Dols’ work goes far beyond that.
Also among his works are El Carmen housing in Logroño; the Peñalba Major College in Zaragoza, the Peñafiel Major College in Valladolid, or the development of the surroundings and housing in the Plaza de San Bruno in Zaragoza. His work demonstrates a culture of the organic.
Among others, he also has several works in Barbastro, such as the House of the Escrivá family, the church dedicated to San Josemaría, or the monument of Rafael Fernández de Vega; he built the convent of the Barefoot Carmelites in Huesca; the Courthouses of Boltaña, and also signed the Technical Report for the declaration of the Preferential Rehabilitation Area of the historic center of Boltaña, as well as the Llano de Samper Partial Plan (Jaca).
However, by settling in Zaragoza and with the absence of the Internet, Dols’ figure did not become as visible as others outside this city. «This has also meant that he was not a media figure, a visible figure. He is very beloved in Zaragoza but his full legacy has not transcended,» Domingo de Miguel points out.
DETAILED PLANS OVER 50 YEARS OLD
Regarding his research, he highlighted that the core of it is «the archive,» something «truly valuable,» where he discovered plans from over 50 years ago, drawn on tracing paper with «great care, dedication, and detail» and handwritten letters.
Specifically, about Torreciudad, Domingo de Miguel emphasized the integration of the work into the landscape; the roofs and buildings seeking sunlight or the brick as the main material, which makes «reference to popular architecture, to the land,» although with concrete structural elements.
The project was developed between 1963 and 1969; in 1970, construction began, and the sanctuary was inaugurated in 1975.
Regarding the architectural criticism received by this work, Domingo de Miguel shared that he found a letter from Antonio Lamela, «a true authority in architecture,» to César Ortiz Echagüe, dated 1976, «in which he expresses that he has been to Torreciudad and found it to be a tremendous and grandiose work, a spectacular piece.»
During the book presentation this Thursday, those who participated alongside the author were the dean of the College of Architects, Sigfrido Herráez Rodríguez; Carlos Labarta Aizpún and Miguel Ángel Alonso del Val, professors of Projects at the universities of Zaragoza and Navarra; and the director of the School of Architecture at the University of Navarra, Carlos Naya Villaverde.
Herráez highlighted Dols’ deep connection with Madrid, its School, and architects, while Alonso del Val stated that he was «one of the great architects of the 20th century in Spain.» «He wanted modern architecture, with a critical reflection to defend popular architecture,» he emphasized.
On his part, Carlos Labarta praised his «great intellectual curiosity, with a constant search, and a professionalism that led him to compete a lot and from a very young age,» while Labarta underscored «the use of brick –so present in Torreciudad– with a domestic and monumental aspect, for which he traveled all over Aragón.»
The director of the School of Architecture at the University of Navarra, Carlos Naya, praised «Dols’ generosity and organization with his archive that allowed this book to be made,» which «will be very useful to understand Torreciudad.» He also suggested that the sanctuary in the Alto Aragon region be «a reference center, for study and research in sacred architecture.»