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Ricardo Bofill's La Muralla Roja photographed by Matias Galeano aka Boluddha

The travel photographer Matias Galeano aka Boluddha photographed Ricardo Bofill's La Muralla Roja.

La Muralla Roja is a postmodern apartment complex in Calpe, Spain designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill in 1968. In designing the building, Bofill referenced the architecture of North African casbahs.

Architect’s Statement: 

Within the context of La Manzanera, La Muralla Roja (The Red Wall) asks to be considered as a case apart. It embodies a clear reference to the popular architecture of the Arab Mediterranean, in particular to the adobe towers of North Africa. The Red Wall is like a fortress which marks a vertical silhouette following the contour lines of the rocky cliff.

Ricardo Bofill's La Muralla Roja photographed by Matias Galeano aka Boluddhaimage © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

With this building, RBTA wanted to break the post-Renaissance division between public and private spaces reinterpreting the Mediterranean tradition of the Kasbah. The labyrinth of this recreated Kasbah corresponds to a precise geometric plan based on the typology of the Greek cross with arms 5 meters long, these being grouped in different ways, with service towers (kitchens and bathrooms) at their point of intersection. The geometric basis of the layout is also an approximation to the theories of constructivism, and makes La Muralla Roja a very clear evocation of these.

the staircase view from above

image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

The forms of the building, evoking a constructivist aesthetic, create an ensemble of interconnected patios which provide access to the 50 apartments, which include 60 sqm studios, and two and three-bedroom apartments of 80 and 120 sqm, respectively. On the roof terraces there are solariums, a swimming pool, and a sauna for resident’s use.

The criterion of applying to the building a gamut of various colours responds to the intention to give a determined relief to the distinct architectural elements, according to their structural functions.

residential apartment building with red color

image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

The outside surfaces are painted in various tones of red, to accentuate the contrast with the landscape; patios an stairs, however, area treated with blue tones, such as sky-blue, indigo, violet, to produce a stronger or weaker contrast with the sky or, on the contrary, an optical effect of blending in with it. The intensity of the colours is also related to the light and shows how the combination of these elements can help create a greater illusion of space.

the staircase among blue walls from above

image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

pink building with staircases image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

stairs at a blue building image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

red apartment building at night image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

the sunset view from the apartment terrace

image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

Ricardo Bofill's La Muralla Roja photographed by Matias Galeano aka Boluddha

image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

apartment building inspired by Arabic mediterranean architecture image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

apartment building with central courtyard image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

red apartment building with sea view

image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

seaside residential building

image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

island in the sea view from the terrace of the apartment in Spain

image © Matias Galeano aka Boluddha 

Apartments Plan 2A & 2CApartments Plan 2A & 2C

Apartments Plan BApartments Plan B

Apartments Plan 4BApartments Plan 4B

Site Plan Site Plan 

 

Project name: La Muralla Roja

Architecture firm: Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura

Location: Calp, Alicante, Spain

Design year: 1968

Completion year: 1973

Photography: Matias Galeano aka Boluddha


By Naser Nader Ibrahim

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