Juan Herreros on Simplicity, Research, and the Munch Museum in Oslo

In an interview for Artribune TV's Past, Present, Future series, Spanish architect Juan Herreros discusses his career, influences, and design philosophy. Herreros, who founded the studio Abalos&Herreros in Madrid in 1984, recalls initially misunderstanding architecture during his university years in mid-1970s Madrid. He credits architect Alejandro de la Sota for teaching him the importance of simplicity and renouncing the superfluous, and Cedric Price for instilling a critical approach. Herreros describes his dual career in professional practice and teaching, using the school as a laboratory for studio themes and vice versa. He notes that his generation began by imitating models, a path now impossible for young architects, who must define their own architectural goals. Among his studio's ongoing projects is the Munch Museum in Oslo, which he believes should not be designed by only the largest firms. Herreros keeps his studio intentionally small, never exceeding twenty people, winning projects through competitions. 'We are not obsessed with growth; we are obsessed with research,' he states.