GATEPAC facts for kids
GATEPAC was a special group of architects in Spain. Their full name was "Grupo de Artistas y Técnicos Españoles Para la Arquitectura Contemporánea." This means "Group of Spanish Artists and Technicians for Contemporary Architecture."
They came together in the 1930s during a time called the Second Spanish Republic. This was before the Spanish Civil War. The group wanted to create new, modern buildings. They believed in simple designs and using new materials.
Who Were the Key Architects?
Some of the most important members of GATEPAC were:
- Josep Lluís Sert
- Antoni Bonet Castellana
- Josep Torres Clavé
- José Manuel Aizpurúa
- Fernando García Mercadal
- Sixte Illescas
These architects wanted to change how buildings were designed in Spain. They aimed for a fresh, modern style.
How GATEPAC Started
GATEPAC was formed in the 1930s. It was the Spanish part of a bigger international group called C.I.A.M.. CIAM stood for "Congrès Internationaux d'Architecture Moderne." This was a worldwide meeting of architects who wanted to build in new ways.
The most active part of GATEPAC was in Catalonia, a region in Spain. This section was called GATCPAC. It stood for "Grup d'Arquitectes i Tècnics Catalans per al Progrés de l'Arquitectura Contemporània." GATCPAC was very successful. They even worked on building projects for the government during the Second Spanish Republic.
GATCPAC also published a magazine called A.C.. This magazine showed off their ideas and designs. It is still an important record of modern architecture in Spain.
What Happened After the War?
The Spanish Civil War started in 1936. Many GATEPAC members supported the Republican side. Sadly, Josep Torres Clavé was killed during the war.
After the war, Spain was ruled by General Francisco Franco. Being part of GATEPAC or linked to the Second Republic became very difficult. Their work was often not allowed to be talked about.
Some members had to leave Spain. Josep Lluís Sert moved to the United States. He became a teacher at Harvard Graduate School of Design. Antoni Bonet Castellana went to live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It wasn't until the 1950s that their work started to be recognized again. New Spanish architects, like Oriol Bohigas, began to study and appreciate the modern ideas of GATEPAC. Their designs helped shape modern architecture in Spain.
