ICO Museum Celebrates Centenary of José María García de Paredes, Architect of the Manuel de Falla Auditorium, with Major Retrospective

On October 2nd, the ICO Museum will open its season with a notable exhibition titled “José María García de Paredes. Spaces of Encounter,” commemorating the centenary of the birth of this renowned Spanish architect of the 20th century. Curated by architect Ángela García de Paredes, the exhibition will offer a comprehensive view of his work, particularly known for his public architecture projects, including large auditoriums.

José María García de Paredes, born in Seville in 1924 and passed away in Madrid in 1990, left a profound mark on modern Spanish architecture. He was awarded the Grand Prize of Rome in 1955, the National Architecture Prize in 1956, and the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts in 1990. His work is characterized by a functionalist approach and careful aesthetics, combining efficiency and beauty. The exhibition also highlights his relationship with cultural figures of the time, such as Manuel de Falla, which led to emblematic projects like the National Auditorium of Music in Madrid and the Manuel de Falla Auditorium in Granada.

The exhibition will cover four decades of work, from 1950 to 1990, showcasing previously unseen images of his most iconic projects. These include the National Auditorium of Music and the Colegio Mayor Aquinas in Madrid. García de Paredes’ work is contextualized within the rich cultural, architectural, and artistic panorama of his time, emphasizing his connection with music.

This event has been made possible thanks to the collaboration between the ICO Foundation and the Reina Sofia National Art Center Museum, which has meticulously cataloged García de Paredes’ archive, donated by his family in 2021. The ICO Museum has received over 400 works on loan, including plans, models, drawings, and photographs.

A highlight of the exhibition is García de Paredes’ professional and familial relationship with composer Manuel de Falla. In 1957, the architect married María Isabel de Falla, the composer’s niece, influencing his project for the Manuel de Falla Auditorium in Granada, inaugurated in 1978.

The history of the Manuel de Falla Auditorium includes a tragic episode in 1988 when a deliberately set fire destroyed much of the building. García de Paredes took advantage of the reconstruction to introduce significant improvements, and the auditorium reopened in 1989.

The exhibition “José María García de Paredes. Spaces of Encounter” will be open until January 12th of next year and promises to be a comprehensive celebration of the life and work of one of the most influential architects of modern Spanish architecture.