CONFEMADERA � MONOCLE

CRAFT ANDCREATIVITY

A new way of workingwith wood

“The only way to be original is by returning tothe origins,” so said Antonio Gaudí, perhapsSpain’s most famous architect. With its manycultural influences and its eclectic mix ofarchitectural styles, Spain´s history offers

endless inspiration. What we see in the worldof Spanish design today is the output of afresh generation of artisans who choose towork with wood and traditional craft. From

Moorish roofs to handmade bicycles, Monocleexplores some of the projects that are

capturing the world’s attention.

BD Barcelona Design chairby Konstantin Grcic

Wooden islands by VincenteGuallart and EquipamientosGestalt, Valencia

Delica Tray by Zoo Creative

Fauna skewers by Nadadora

Wooden bicycle pieceby Axalko

Forest by Santa & Cole,Parque de Belloch

CONFEMADERA � MONOCLE

NUÑEZ RIBOTARQUITECTOSCuatro50 housing project

Nuñez Ribot’s projectCuatro50 shows that limitedspace doesn’t have to limit theimagination. These houses canbe fully customised, thanks tointerior adjustable modules,and the Valsain pine is bothbeautiful and easy to live with.This is one of the winners ofthe 2010 Vivir con Maderaawards, an initiative led byConfemadera, the Spanishconfederation for thewoodworking industry.

www.confemadera.es exportmadera.com

LOSIENTO STUDIOBrand identity

The brand identity for the5to Pino bar and restaurantin one of Barcelona’strendiest neighbourhoods –the Bonanova District – wasdesigned by Borja Martinez,head of the Losiento creativestudio. The three-dimensionallogo for 5to Pino is made ofthe highest-quality pine andis one of the first examplesof wooden typography to beused in the Spanishrestaurant industry. Martinez’sprevious collaborationsinclude designs for El Bullirestaurant and pasta makerSandro Desii.

GRUPO HOLTZAEngineering

For more than 20 years, Grupo Holtza hasbeen leading the market when it comes toengineering and building with wood, havingcollaborated in almost 1,600 projects, somewith top Spanish architects such as OriolBohigas, Santiago Calatrava and EnricMiralles. One of our favourite constructions isthe Bodegas Protos in Peñafiel, Castille. Builtby Richard Rogers, this curvy winery can store10,000 barrels of wine inside almost 20,000sq m. It’s a luxurious space made of concrete,glass and wooden beams, guaranteeing bothfunctionality and good looks.

AXALKOThe wooden bicycle

After a long period of research the Guipúzcoa-based Axalko design team discovered thatthe tubular fibres of wood were perfect forcreating a fast, stable bicycle frame. Builtmostly by hand and conforming to professionalstandards, the bike is available in severalcolours, including the striking purplishamaranth or stripped zebrawood. TheAxalko bike sets the (handle) bar highfor stylish commuting.

BACK TO BASICSThree projects that stay true totheir heritage

This inventive bunch have decided to stick tosimplicity and use wood as their primematerial, making basic yet useful commodities.

01. The foldable stand, “La cool vie Bohème”(right) by Daniel Gantes holds four dishes, twoglasses, a wine bucket and a flower pot – justwhat’s needed for a romantic meal for two.

02. Besides design, Spain is also recognisedfor its great food, and tapas are emblematicdishes. Fauna toothpicks (top right) by designgroup Nadadora are an innovative way ofholding each of the ingredients together,giving food a neat finishing touch while lettingthe diner know what each tapa is made of.

03. This modular screen (bottom right)designed by Luis Eslava for LZF lampsis made by flexing pollywood veneer andaluminium, creating an undulating pattern thatreflects a series of wavy shadows that changewhenever light passes through it.

LOS 3 JUANESRoof restoration

Inspired by Mudéjar art,these panels form a series ofgeometrical shapes madeof finely intertwined wood.The work of these mastercarpenters is mainly exportedto Bahrain and Algeria andcan also be admired in theroof of the Picasso Museumin Malaga and in the restoredroof of the Alhambra,incorporating the beautiful,Arabic detailing.

SANTA & COLELandscape and lighting

This diverse group of designcompanies, which includesarchitects, designers andlandscape artists, work in fourareas: lighting and interiordesign, urban furniture, booksand reforestation. Santa &Cole’s nursery, north ofBarcelona, has over 70species, each with amicrochip implanted in itscore to records its growth.The award-winning Cesta(basket) lamp is made ofcherry wood and is just thething for a cosy living room.

CONFEMADERA � MONOCLE

NUÑEZ RIBOTARQUITECTOSCuatro50 housing project

Nuñez Ribot’s projectCuatro50 shows that limitedspace doesn’t have to limit theimagination. These houses canbe fully customised, thanks tointerior adjustable modules,and the Valsain pine is bothbeautiful and easy to live with.This is one of the winners ofthe 2010 Vivir con Maderaawards, an initiative led byConfemadera, the Spanishconfederation for thewoodworking industry.

www.confemadera.es exportmadera.com

LOSIENTO STUDIOBrand identity

The brand identity for the5to Pino bar and restaurantin one of Barcelona’strendiest neighbourhoods –the Bonanova District – wasdesigned by Borja Martinez,head of the Losiento creativestudio. The three-dimensionallogo for 5to Pino is made ofthe highest-quality pine andis one of the first examplesof wooden typography to beused in the Spanishrestaurant industry. Martinez’sprevious collaborationsinclude designs for El Bullirestaurant and pasta makerSandro Desii.

GRUPO HOLTZAEngineering

For more than 20 years, Grupo Holtza hasbeen leading the market when it comes toengineering and building with wood, havingcollaborated in almost 1,600 projects, somewith top Spanish architects such as OriolBohigas, Santiago Calatrava and EnricMiralles. One of our favourite constructions isthe Bodegas Protos in Peñafiel, Castille. Builtby Richard Rogers, this curvy winery can store10,000 barrels of wine inside almost 20,000sq m. It’s a luxurious space made of concrete,glass and wooden beams, guaranteeing bothfunctionality and good looks.

AXALKOThe wooden bicycle

After a long period of research the Guipúzcoa-based Axalko design team discovered thatthe tubular fibres of wood were perfect forcreating a fast, stable bicycle frame. Builtmostly by hand and conforming to professionalstandards, the bike is available in severalcolours, including the striking purplishamaranth or stripped zebrawood. TheAxalko bike sets the (handle) bar highfor stylish commuting.

BACK TO BASICSThree projects that stay true totheir heritage

This inventive bunch have decided to stick tosimplicity and use wood as their primematerial, making basic yet useful commodities.

01. The foldable stand, “La cool vie Bohème”(right) by Daniel Gantes holds four dishes, twoglasses, a wine bucket and a flower pot – justwhat’s needed for a romantic meal for two.

02. Besides design, Spain is also recognisedfor its great food, and tapas are emblematicdishes. Fauna toothpicks (top right) by designgroup Nadadora are an innovative way ofholding each of the ingredients together,giving food a neat finishing touch while lettingthe diner know what each tapa is made of.

03. This modular screen (bottom right)designed by Luis Eslava for LZF lampsis made by flexing pollywood veneer andaluminium, creating an undulating pattern thatreflects a series of wavy shadows that changewhenever light passes through it.

LOS 3 JUANESRoof restoration

Inspired by Mudéjar art,these panels form a series ofgeometrical shapes madeof finely intertwined wood.The work of these mastercarpenters is mainly exportedto Bahrain and Algeria andcan also be admired in theroof of the Picasso Museumin Malaga and in the restoredroof of the Alhambra,incorporating the beautiful,Arabic detailing.

SANTA & COLELandscape and lighting

This diverse group of designcompanies, which includesarchitects, designers andlandscape artists, work in fourareas: lighting and interiordesign, urban furniture, booksand reforestation. Santa &Cole’s nursery, north ofBarcelona, has over 70species, each with amicrochip implanted in itscore to records its growth.The award-winning Cesta(basket) lamp is made ofcherry wood and is just thething for a cosy living room.

CONFEMADERA � MONOCLE

MADE FOR THEFUTURE

Tradition and innovationin harmony

The woodworking sector in Spain is constantlyevolving and adapting. Confemadera’s missionis to bring new technology into all parts of

the industry, so it can continue to develop newproducts and distinctive designs, while

lowering production and distribution costs.

Spanish woodworkers are fully embracing newchallenges and opportunities in this traditionalsector. The designers and architects presentedhere highlight the versatility and beauty ofwood – whether in its natural state or

transformed through recycling. They serve asa vivid image of Spain’s craftsmanship andcreativity – an enduring mark of excellence.

Egurra, by Edroso, Fernández,Muñiz (Vivir con Madera award)

Sala de Barricas of Vega Sicilia byFernando Salas and Eusebio Sanchez

The Scantling lamp byMathias Hahn for Marset

Bodegas Ysios by SantiagoCalatrava, Grupo Holtza

Wooden screen by EstudiBorrell Arquitectes, ebLABand Gregory Ross Getman(Vivir con Madera award)