Today, October 5 is the world day of Architecture, as a commemoration are developed below the last 5 attacks on Spanish architecture.

This day should promote sensitivity towards architectural works within society. Modern and contemporary architecture in Spain is exceptionally exposed to destruction and alteration. There is a widespread vision of the protection of heritage that prioritizes antiquity as a norm of value in Architecture. As these works do not belong to idealized pasts, they suffer from attacks that we would not do with cathedrals or castles. Ultimately we are like the Romans of the twelfth century burning marble sculptures to make lime.

Ultimately we are like the Romans of the twelfth century burning marble sculptures to make lime.

What is World Architects Day?

In 1985, the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, at the initiative of the Human Settlements Commission, designated that the first Monday in October of each year would be World Habitat Day, to reflect on Urban Planning, at the same time as reward organizations or individuals that contribute to improving the state of human settlements.

In 1997, the International Union of Architects decided to join this initiative, establishing the first Monday of October as World Architecture Day, coinciding with World Habitat Day.

The last 5 attacks on Spanish architecture.

nº5. October 2020. La Alhóndiga Sports Center, Miguel Fisac

Just a few days ago, the news of the enlightened decision of the Getafe City Council to paint the facade of a work by Fisac in colors. Specifically, the textured concrete panels of the Sports Center in the Alhondiga neighborhood. Panels with a cushioned texture, which will be difficult to restore without damaging the original finish.

Regardless of the greater or lesser value of the mural, this fact is an attack against the work, transforming it without taking into account the creators of it. The architecture of Fisac stands out for its austerity and simplicity, having nothing to do with what has been painted on the facade. The worst thing is that it was the same city hall that promoted its construction, it was the one that ordered the facade to be painted. The building, which Fisac made in collaboration with the architects Fernando Sánchez-Mora, Sara González, Blanca Aleixandre and Leonardo Oro, was selected for the Venice Biennale in 2004.

nº4. January 2015. Casa Guzmán, Alejandro de la Sota

The Guzmán house, built by the architect Alejandro de la Sota in 1972, was one of the greatest exponents of Spanish residential architecture in the 70s. The project blurred the interior and exterior environments, being an authentic garden house.

Unfortunately, Enrique Guzmán's son decided to demolish the house. Currently being replaced by a construction without any aesthetic value.

nº3. 2006. «La Cajonera», Miguel Fisac

The house known as "La Cajonera" was built by Fisac in 1968 as a holiday villa for his own family in Isla Plana. For Miguel Fisac the project of this house served as an experiment to test a new tourist architecture respectful of its natural environment. Uninhabited for years, the house survived, but in 2006 it was the victim of an extension by its new owners that spoiled the harmony of the whole.

# 2. 1999. «La Pagoda», Miguel Fisac

Unfortunately Fisac's work has suffered many losses. The headquarters of the Jorba laboratories, called the Fisac Pagoda, was a building located in Madrid, near Avenida de América. The popular name of the building as Pagoda refers to the visible structure of the tower. In 1999, its controversial demolition was carried out in order to build new housing and office blocks.

Although the complaints were unanimous on the part of the College of Architects, the Madrid School of Architecture and various personalities from the world of Architecture, the demolition license was granted. Since the building lacked any protection.

# 1. August 1997. Newsstand »La Rana», César Sans Gironella

With nocturnal, premeditation and treachery, the famous Barakaldo Kiosk «La Rana», in the herriko plaza, was demolished in 1997. Designed by César Sans Gironella, it was inaugurated on July 16, 1964 and according to the technical description, it had “the shape of a a hyperbolic paraboloid supported at its two ends, counterbalancing its two cantilevers and flared the largest towards the auditorium to channel the sound ”.

The previous list could be extended to hundreds of works that have fallen under the excavator, or have been altered without criteria.