Passing of a Spanish architectural legend: Agustí Obiol Sánchez
Agustí Obiol Sánchez, a doctor of architecture and head of the structural department at SOCOTEC Spain has passed away in Barcelona this Monday at the age of 70. Obiol was a leading figure in structural engineering in Spain, and his work has made an impact on some of the country's most iconic buildings.
Born in Vinaroz (Castellón) in 1953, Obiol graduated in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in 1977. He then earned his doctorate from the same university and received a chair in structural engineering in 1983, becoming the youngest full professor to be appointed to the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Barcelona.
Obiol founded the architectural firm BOMA, which specialized in structural engineering and is now part of SOCOTEC Spain. His vision of structural engineering as an expression of contemporary architecture inspired generations of architects and contributed to the evolution of Spanish architecture.
Obiol´s legacy
Obiol was a master and visionary of structural engineering. His integrated approach to engineering and architecture led him to become a leading figure in the design of iconic contemporary architectural buildings.
Throughout his career, Obiol collaborated with renowned national and international architects on numerous projects, including the Torre Arts by Bruce Graham in Barcelona, the Pabellón Olímpico by Esteve Bonell and Francesc Rius in Badalona, the Edificio Fòrum de las Culturas by Herzog and De Meuron in Barcelona, the Torre Agbar by Jean Nouvel and b-720 in Barcelona, the Pabellón Copa Amèrica by David Chipperfield Architects in Valencia, and the Mercury Tower by Zaha Hadid in Malta.
In all of these projects, his ability to combine engineering as part of the architectural expression resulted in masterpieces that have left their mark on the Spanish urban landscape.
Obiol's work was recognized with numerous awards, including the National Architecture Award in 1999 and the Mies van der Rohe International Award for Contemporary Architecture in 2006.
Additionally, his dual career as an architect and educator has helped train a generation of architects who are recognized worldwide.
Obiol leaves an indelible legacy in the field of structural engineering in Spain. His work has inspired generations of architects and contributed to the evolution of contemporary architecture.
At Socotec Spain, we are deeply saddened by the loss of Agustí Obiol. He was a benchmark in structural engineering in Spain and a great professional who will always be in our memory.