I know Elias Torres to be a remarkable thinker and marvellous architect and believe he is one of the most important European architects practising today. Through his extensive public and private projects he raises architecture to the level of art.- Glenn Murcutt
Elias Torres and his partner Jose Antonio Martinez-Lapena are renowned in Spain for sensitive additions in and around historic buildings in order to ensure their viability in the 21st century.
One of their most recent projects the Forum 2004 Esplanade addresses all the current issues facing cities around the world - with sustainability at its core.
The Forum esplanade had to complete the end of an important Barcelona avenue and finally allow it to reach the sea. What Lapena Torres designed is an inspirational structure that combines on its roof a huge solar collector panel and makes a place for people by the sea.
It was described by the Mies van der Rohe Award jury as 'One of the most extraordinary structures ... based on the themes of cultural understanding, social justice and sustainable development.'
This talk is available online as a e-classroom professional development course.