The Reclusive Architect of Maravillas Gym: Rediscovering a Spanish Master

The Madrid city council formally designated the Maravillas School Gymnasium a cultural heritage site on May 22, 2018, recognizing the architectural significance of the structure designed by Alejandro de la Sota. The gymnasium, located on Calle de Joaquín Costa, 21, in the Chamartín district, stands as a landmark example of 20th-century Spanish architecture, notable for being the first steel-framed building in Madrid. Alejandro de la Sota (1913-1996), the architect behind the gymnasium, was a professor at the School of Architecture of Madrid (ETSAM), influencing generations of Spanish architects. The project, commissioned in the early 1960s, arose from the need to expand the Colegio Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas, a school run by the Brothers of the Salle. The challenge lay in constructing a new gymnasium and classrooms on a hard plot, navigating a 12-meter elevation difference between Calle Guadalquivir and Calle Costa. The Spanish Wikipedia entry on the gymnasium details the complexities of the site. De la Sota approached the project as an engineering problem, prioritizing logical operations and the fundamental purpose of the building. He skillfully integrated geometric precision, structural innovation, and genuine constructiveness, resulting in a design that continues to inspire. The architect’s drawings, according to Arch Journey’s profile of the gymnasium, reveal a meticulous effort in defining the building’s form, balancing its elements, and overseeing construction details. A key feature of the gymnasium is its employ of natural light. Skylights were strategically placed to illuminate the entire space, a solution De la Sota deemed necessary despite potential cost increases, given the productive surface area generated within the limited space. He described the unique façade as a “specialized membrane,” emphasizing the minimal materials – brick, glass, and steel – required to define the boundary between interior and exterior. These materials were selected from catalogues during the design phase, minimizing custom fabrication. ArchEyes’ coverage of the gymnasium highlights this efficient material selection. The gymnasium’s design also cleverly utilizes the thickness of the structure to incorporate functional spaces. De la Sota’s diagrams illustrate how this approach maximizes usability and enhances the impact of natural light within the building. The structure was completed in 1962, and later expanded by Fernando Meléndez Andrade in 1966, but continues to serve its original purpose as a sports and educational facility. De la Sota’s approach to architecture was characterized by a rejection of stylistic labels, viewing his work as a product of its specific site and time. He was known as a reclusive figure, a self-imposed exile, and an object of veneration for those familiar with his work. Three decades after his death, studies of his work and recognition of his contributions are increasing, even internationally. The gymnasium remains a testament to his innovative approach and enduring legacy.