Edifici Hispano Olivetti, building in Barcelona Province, Spain
The Edifici Hispano Olivetti is a seven-story office building completed between 1960 and 1964 on Ronda de la Universitat. Its north-facing facade features large glass panels mounted in a steel frame that flood the interior with daylight, while the south side includes an overhang to shield against direct sun.
The site had connections to the Italian typewriter company Olivetti since the 1920s, when it operated a factory and showroom there. The current building was designed by the architecture firm BBPR and marks a shift toward modern, functional design using industrial materials and forms.
The name references the Italian typewriter manufacturer Olivetti, which originally operated its Barcelona office here. The building reflects how mid-twentieth-century designers tried to blend industrial modernism with echoes of the city's architectural heritage.
The building sits on a main street near the university and is easily accessible by public transportation. The glass facade provides clear views of the interior from outside, and the large ground-floor entrance is straightforward to locate and approach.
The design intentionally blends references to historical forms, such as the balconies of old theaters and Gaudi's distinctive rooftop chimneys, creating a bridge between tradition and modernity. This mixing of past echoes with new design was bold and unusual for architects of that era.
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