18/12/2006
Vitoria-Gasteiz, 18 December
2006. The Álava delegation of the Official
Association of Architects Vasco Navarro has awarded the
Olaguíbel prize to the Santa María Cathedral
Foundation. The prize giving took place on 18 December, on the same day
the Vitoria architect signed the plans for its great work, the
Neoclassical Plaza de España. At the same time and as part
of the commemorative acts, the guild of architects visited the Gothic
church.
According to the President of the architects´ association,
Ángel Luis Bellido, the distinction has been granted to the
Santa Maria Cathedral Foundation in recognition of the “work
it is doing to restore the church”.
Architect Ramón Ruíz-Cuevas considers the prize
is recognition of the institution´s work to popularise
architecture and to keep the historical memory of the city alive.
“As well as attracting people from outside, putting a Gothic
cathedral in the Intensive Care Unit, like a giant, totally intubated
patient has been brilliant”, said Ruiz Cuevas.
The award was presented in Vitoria´s Town Hall reception
hall. The prize consists of a Solenhofen stone, like those used by
Heraclio Fournier, representing the southern elevation of the project
in the Olaguíbel plaza de España are
expressed. Designer Laurentino Aliende. “In this
way we can honour the best Basque architect of all time”,
pointed out Ruiz Cuevas.
A prize was given to the winner of a drawing competition during the
same event in Olaguíbel´s memory. For the fourth
year running, pupils of 14 years and under from all the schools in
Álava have created works paying homage to two other very
important works by the Vitoria professional: Plaza del Machete and los
Arquillos.