Loading...
In truth, the reason for having an architect could be that get the chance to cover more fields than a specialist. Here the most substantial part could be done by an industrial engineer, which Juan José Román was at that time, due to the climate control and electricity aspects, and all those things. But this was a period when important building work was being carried out so in that sense and at that time an architect was the right person. And the building work continues today. Right now there’s the Hall of Realms; there’s still the Casa de los Águila to be dealt with, I don’t know what will happen with that... In other words, an architect can cover a lot of different fields and different areas.
José Arteaga, my second in command, once said to me: “The thing is, you’re a different sort of architect, you’re not an architect ‘ad hoc’, not a typical architect; you’re a different sort of architect, you know about more things.” So that explains it. Obviously, it’s also true that in addition to what you bring to the job you also learn a lot here. You learn a lot about the engineering part. And in that respect I got important help from Juan José Román and the head of the different sections: Julio, Augusto, Martínez Pozuelo, Antonio Carrasco (I don’t know if you met him, he was a really well known character here). All those people also taught me a lot.
He worked at the Museo del Prado as Head of the Area of Works and Maintenance from 1994 to 2009. He works as an architect, participating in major projects such as the remodelling of the roof, the Museum's extension or the re-model and enlarge of the Casón del Buen Retiro.
Interview recorded on May 09, 2018
