Informalism and matter of Fernando Higueras in the 70s: La Macarrona

Abstract

This article is the result of and analysis about Fernando Higueras domestic architecture, from a new point of view, being La Macarrona the object of study, describing it as an informalist work of art. La Macarrona is a single-family detached house, designed and built between 1971 and 1976 by Fernando Higueras (1930-2008), in Somosaguas Norte, Madrid. The volumetric morphology and the way it settles in the terrain makes this house a singular building which could be considered the most iconic of Fernando Higueras legacy, as he was able to materialize his vision without the need to be subjected to restrictions. La Macarrona is an informalist building. This house cumplies traditional precepts of: orientation, proportion, volumetry and use of natural light. The symmetric structure represents an innovative change in Higueras domestic architecture. The oil crisis of 1973 puts an end to Higueras traditional ways of construction that he had been using until then, because new energy restrictions were to be considered. It can be said that Higueras introduced informalism or abstract expressionism in architecture.