Born in Catalonia and raised by a family of builders, Ricardo Bofill began his architectural career at an early age, designing his first project—a summer home on the island of Ibiza—at 17. By the time he was 23, Bofill was the lead architect in the family business.

The extraordinary career of Ricardo Bofill now spans over 50 years, with over 1,000 buildings completed in more than 50 countries. His Barcelona–based firm, Taller de Arquitectura, is recognized for its tendency toward strong, geometric forms; an emphasis on craftsmanship; an emphasis on the importance of public spaces in urban environments; and an interest in local, vernacular styles and materials. Together, these elements go against the traditional views of Modernism in Europe—and have produced arresting results.

A new monograph from gestalten celebrates the famed architect’s contributions to architecture. Below, we present eight works by the architect that capture his avant-garde approach.

Walden 7 (1975)

Meritxell Sanctuary (1974)

La Muralla Roja (1973)

Les Arcades & Les Temples du Lac (1982 & 1986)

La Fabrica (1975-present)

Courtesy of Ricardo Bofill, copyright gestalten 2019
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Les Espaces d'Abraxas (1982)

Xanadù (1971)

n for this apartment building in coastal Spain drew on the work of the avant-garde UK-based architectural collective Archigram; conceptually, each of the building's 18 units was "plugged" into the central structural frame, allowing the modular living units to form a range of different configurations. Unlike Bofill's other work in the area, this project was painted a mossy green that contrasted with the clay tile roofs." layout="" credit="Ricardo Bofill, copyright gestalten 2019" photoUserId=""/>

Camp Nou Proposal (2015)

Barça), plays. The Taller's shortlisted design added a new skin to the building made out of ribbons in the team's home colors. " layout="" credit="Ricardo Bofill, copyright gestalten 2019" photoUserId=""/>

More by Ricardo Bofill:

A Spanish Architect Converts a Cement Factory Into a Breathtaking Home and Headquarters

An Iconic Estate in Spain Inspired by a Utopian Sci-Fi Novel

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Design Icon: 8 Avant-Garde Buildings by Ricardo Bofill