GATEPAC facts for kids
GATEPAC (which stands for Grupo de Artistas y Técnicos Españoles Para la Arquitectura Contemporánea) was a special group of architects in Spain. They came together in the 1930s, during a time known as the Second Spanish Republic. This was a period when Spain was a republic, meaning it was governed by elected officials, not a king. GATEPAC wanted to create new, modern buildings.
Some of the most important architects in this group were Josep Lluís Sert, Antoni Bonet Castellana, Josep Torres Clavé, José Manuel Aizpurúa, Fernando García Mercadal, and Sixte Illescas. They believed in a new way of designing buildings that was simple, practical, and used modern materials.
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What Was GATEPAC?
GATEPAC was formed in the 1930s. It was like the Spanish part of a bigger international group called C.I.A.M.. This larger group brought together modern architects from all over the world. GATEPAC wanted to bring these new ideas about architecture to Spain.
Different Parts of the Group
The group had different sections in Spain. The most active and successful part was in Catalonia, a region in eastern Spain. This section was called GATCPAC. It stands for Grup d'Arquitectes i Tècnics Catalans per al Progrés de l'Arquitectura Contemporània. GATCPAC was very busy and even worked on projects for the government during the Second Spanish Republic.
The A.C. Magazine
GATCPAC also published its own magazine. It was called A.C., which meant Actividad Contemporánea (Contemporary Activity). This magazine is still very important today. It helps us understand the history of modern architecture in Spain. It showed off new designs and ideas.
What Happened to GATEPAC?
The 1930s were a difficult time in Spain. The Spanish Civil War started in 1936. This was a big conflict between different groups in the country. Most, but not all, members of GATEPAC supported the Republican side in this war.
After the Civil War
Sadly, one of the members, Josep Torres Clavé, was killed during the war. After the war ended in 1939, Spain was ruled by General Francisco Franco. Many people who had supported the Republic faced problems.
Josep Lluís Sert had to leave Spain. He moved to the United States. There, he became a teacher at a famous university, the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Another member, Antoni Bonet, moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Because GATEPAC was connected to the Second Spanish Republic, it was not popular during Franco's rule. Talking about the group or their work was often not allowed. This continued until the 1950s. Then, a new generation of Spanish architects, like Oriol Bohigas, started to look at their work again. They found inspiration in GATEPAC's modern ideas.
See also
In Spanish: GATEPAC para niños
