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 «architecture pilgrims».
«To fill that historiographical void. That the figure of this architect had a certain recognition for what he is, for what he has done. And in Torreciudad there are pilgrims, but also there should be architecture pilgrims, people who go there to see the architecture and truly enjoy that architecture,» wished Javier Domingo de Miguel 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 was awarded the National Architecture Prize along with 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 emphasized, highlighting that Dols was part of a generation from which «great» architects like Fernando Higueras, Luis Peña Ganchegui, or Curro Inza emerged.
His most well-known work is Torreciudad (1975) in Huesca — one of the most significant examples of Spanish sacred architecture of the 20th century –, according to the author, «an epic», but he points out that Dols’ work goes much further.
Also among his works are the El Carmen housing in Logroño; the Peñalba College in Zaragoza, the Peñafiel College in Valladolid, or the urban planning of the environment and housing in the Plaza de San Bruno in Zaragoza. His work highlights 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 Courts of Boltaña, and also signed the Technical Report for the declaration of a Preferred Rehabilitation Area of the historic center of Boltaña, as well as the Llano de Samper Partial Plan (Jaca).
However, when establishing himself in Zaragoza and with the internet not yet existing, Dols’ figure did not become as visible as others outside this city. «That has also meant that he was not a media figure, a visible figure. He is very beloved in Zaragoza but his full baggage has not transcended,» indicates Domingo de Miguel.
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 has 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, the construction began, and the sanctuary was inaugurated in 1975.
Regarding the architectural criticism received by this work, Domingo de Miguel mentions discovering 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 a tremendous and grandiose work, a spectacular work».
During the book presentation on Thursday, the author was joined by 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 of the University of Navarra, Carlos Naya Villaverde.
Herráez highlighted Dols’ deep connection with Madrid, its School, and architects, and Alonso del Val stated that he was «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 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 highlighted «the use of brick — so present in Torreciudad — with a domestic and monumental aspect, for which he traveled all over Aragon.»
The director of the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra, Carlos Naya, praised «Dols’ generosity and organization with his archive that has allowed this book to be made», which «will be very useful to understand Torreciudad». Additionally, he proposed that the sanctuary in Alto Aragón be «a reference center, for study and research in sacred architecture».