Thread by @HispanicCouncil

On a day like today, in 1908 Spanish the artist Rafael Guastavino dies in Ashville, United States, known as "the architect of New York", according to the @nytimes. He "reinvented" and "revolutionized" the Big Apple. We explain why in this thread.

#RespectHispanicHeritage

The Valencian studied at the Escuela de Maestros de Obras in Barcelona (precedent of the @ETSABarcelona) and moved to New York in 1881, aged 39. He left a legacy of 1000 works around the U.S. and around 250 in the city that never sleeps.

#RespectHispanicHeritage

📷 @publico_es

Among his most notable projects in New York are the @OysterBarNY at @GrandCentralNYC, the @carnegiehall entrance and the @NMNH's Baird Auditorium.

#RespectHispanicHeritage

In all of Guastavino's works, one can appreciate the flat brick vaults of Arabic origin, which have such a long tradition in the Spanish Mediterranean.

#RespectHispanicHeritage

📷 Oyster Bar New York

Achieving these brick vaults was his great technical achievement, since this material works very well in compression, but not so well in tension, and building vaults carried with it the risk of the brick splitting.

#RespectHispanicHeritage

Although the beginnings of his career were rough, after seven years in New York and after having completed several works, he and his son founded their own company, which grew to 12 offices across the country.

#RespectHispanicHeritage

📷 @FundConEspEEUU

His works are so recognizable and admired that, today, when a trace of Guastavino's work is discovered in Manhattan, the press goes to cover the story.

#RespectHispanicHeritage

To discover more about Guastavino, we recommend you read our post: hispaniccouncil.org/rafael-guastav… or watch the documentary directed by @VizcarraEva "The Architect of New York."

#RespectHispanicHeritage