Architectural Association School of Architecture

The artistic and scientific innovations emerging from the studio of Toni Cumella reveal that ceramics are highly versatile 21^st century materials. Focusing on the 4 main fabrication processes in use at Ceramica Cumella – extruding, casting, pressing and revolving – Shaping Ideas presents the work of Toni Cumella and the application of his ceramics in some of contemporary architecture’s most significant projects.

Born in 1951, the son of ceramicist Antoni Cumella, Toni Cumella studied industrial engineering at Barcelona University before dedicating himself entirely to ceramics in 1970. After the death of his father in 1985 Cumella redirected the focus of the studio Ceramica Cumella towards the development of architectural projects and large-scale artworks, working closely with Studio PER (Cristian Cirici, Pep Bonet, Oscar Tusquets, Enric Steegman and Lluis Clotet), Enric Sòria and Jordi Garcés. Between 1989 and 1992 the studio undertook its first two major architectural commissions: the restoration of Gaudi’s Casa Batlló (with architect Josep Botey) and the restoration of Gaudi’s Parc Güell (with architects Elíes Torres & Martinez Lapena), which firmly established Ceramica Cumella as a centre of expertise in the field.

Subsequent collaborations developed at the studio include Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue’s Park Diagonal Mar and Parc Dels Colors followed by the Santa Caterina Market in 2005, Jean Nouvel’s Placa Sardana, Alejandro Zaera-Polo’s  Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2005, the Law Courts in Terrassa and the Catalan Police Headquarters in El Vendrell with Josep Botey, several  installations with the artist Frederic Amat of which two feature in the exhibition and Enric Ruiz-Geli’s Villa Nurbs in 2009. Currently underway at the studio are new projects with Renzo Piano, Kengo Kuma and Amanda Levete.

Toni Cumella has a close relationship with the AA. He has produced some of his most outstanding work with current and former AA tutors and graduates and for the last 4 years he has held regular workshops with Intermediate Unit 9.

Curated by Mis-Architecture (Christopher Pierce + Chris Matthews) with AA Exhibitions.

Photos: Sue Barr