Biel Huguet, with his feet on the ground since 1997
He tells us about the origin of his vocation, his sources of inspiration, his creative process?
From Mallorca to the rest of the world, Biel Huguet has been transforming hydraulic tiles and terrazzo into authentic pieces of contemporary art for almost thirty years, being the main promoter of the recovery of this artisan tradition in architecture and design.
Tell us about yourself and your work. Where did your vocation come from?
When I was studying Technical Architecture in Barcelona and London I never imagined that I would end up making hydraulic mosaic and terrazzo in Campos (Mallorca).
In those years, at the beginning of the 90s, the market was oriented in a very different way to what it is now. Just after finishing my degree, in 1996, my father died and as at that time traditional architecture and rehabilitation were beginning to be valued in the sector, I decided not to work as a technical architect and I took over the family business to promote the reintroduction of these products.
I have a lot of fun with what I do, but I am especially happy that the gamble of 27 years ago has worked so well (even if the initial idea has evolved a lot and has not been easy at all).
What do you find most satisfying about your work?
I have a lot of fun with what I do, but I am especially happy that the gamble of 27 years ago has worked so well (even if the initial idea has evolved a lot and has not been easy at all).
In the 90s practically nobody believed in these artisan products, and today we have made an important place for ourselves in the market; therefore, I am very proud, firstly, for the recovery of the tradition, and secondly, for having found many people who have helped us to bring it up to date.
What is your creative process like, what are your sources of inspiration, any particular music while working?
If there is one thing that has gone well for me, it has been finding inspiring people. Over the years I have been lucky enough to deal with a wide range of architects and designers, both in terms of styles and generations, who have helped me decisively to build up a very broad and diverse catalogue.
What I essentially do is offer creative people with whom we share values, our craft and our love of architecture and design. From here, new things are constantly coming out because creativity never stops and we are delighted to help make it viable. And always lots of music.
Favourite colour, book, film and record - in that order! ;D
Colour: navy blue.
I like many books, and very diverse ones, but my father wrote poetry and if I had to choose one, I would choose one of his, "Vols des d'Orly", for example.
It's very difficult for me to say one film because I like cinema so much: In the mood for love, Pulp Fiction, Amarcord... and also with music:
Different class, by Pulp, the first by Antònia Font, and Radiohead, Antony and the Johnsons, Maria del Mar Bonet, Kortatu, the Beatles, Leonard Cohen, very diverse things.
Is your home a reflection of who you are? Tell us what it smells like, your favourite corner, your favourite decorative object or piece of furniture, if you treasure a collection... And if you have a pet, introduce it to us!
My house reflects who I am. My very diverse tastes, the traditional and the contemporary, the complicities I have with my wife, and how my two young children end up being the ones who reign in the house today.
What I like most about my house, and I try to be objective, is the floor: hydraulic tiles with polished terrazzo joints that TEd'A designed for us. Going barefoot on this "continuous pavement", both in winter and summer, is a particular joy for me.
Also my paintings, my chairs from La Pecera, objects by Jasper Morrison, Enzo Mari... the list is long.
If you could buy anything right now and take it home, what would it be? Anything!
I would ask for a painting by Tàpies, or by Miró, Barceló, Caravaggio, Kandinski?
A great plan at home always includes...
Lunch, or dinner, with friends. Or watching a film with the whole family. Or watching an important Barça match...
Do you have a signature dish?
I love cooking and eating pasta and rice dishes. And I love to nibble on vermouth: cheeses, pâtés...
Where is your favourite place in your city and abroad?
I like to move around Gracia on foot: Mercat de la Llibertat, Plaça de Gal-la Placídia, carrer Verdi...
Abroad I love Siena, London, Iceland... although the tourist overcrowding has really traumatised me lately.
Anything you want to tell us that we haven't asked you, speak now or forever hold your peace!
I think we are living a great moment for architecture, both in Mallorca and in Barcelona. There are a lot of people doing great things. The generation born in the 40s and 50s was very inspiring, those born in the 60s made important contributions, and mine, those born in the 70s, I think they have managed to add all that up and become an international reference.
It is a source of great pride. And I'm very happy to see how the new generations are following and elevating this tradition.
