What if we say that one of the most famous architects of New York was Spanish? His name was Rafael Guastavino, the Spanish architect of New York, and was born in Valencia in 1842. A few years ago the name of this unknown architect came to light… And here we are, ready to explain the story of the man who moved overseas from Spain and managed to fulfill his “American dream”.
Guastavino’s journey from València to New York
His personal situation was crucial for Rafael Guastavino when it came to taking the decision of moving from Spain to the United States. After he got divorced from his wife, in 1881 when he was 39 years old he decided to move to New York with his young child. And even though he had studied architecture in Barcelona, his professional beginnings in this new city were quite difficult.
Rafael Guastavino, “the Spanish architect of New York”
But eventually, Rafael Guastavino turned into one of the most recognized architects. The key to his success lay in the technical aspects of their designs. The arches and vaults that Rafael Guastavino proposed were light but robust, quick to build and inexpensive. Besides, the most appreciated characteristic of his proposal was its resistance to fires. And fires were one of the most important concerns during that period of History in North America.
Guastavino’s work reflected in 1.000 buildings
Rafael Guastavino is responsible for the most emblematic buildings, such as the Boston Public Library, Whispering Gallery and Oyster Bar in Grand Central Terminal, the American Museum of Natural History, the City Hall Metro station, Carnegie Hall, Queensboro Bridge, among many. And we say many for a reason: Guastavino participated in the creation of 1.000 buildings, of which 600 of them survive today. Most are in New York or Boston, as we have pointed out, but you can also find some of them in Canada or Cuba.
After his death in 1908 he was referred to by the New York Times as “the architect of New York”.
After meeting Rafael Guastavino, the Spanish architect of New York, and his story, do you want to meet the story of the most famous architect in Barcelona? Who was Antoni Gaudí? 5 iconic buildings