The Universidad Laboral of Albacete (1974-75), a long-forgotten part of Julio Cano Lasso’s architectural legacy

Abstract

Julio Cano Lasso’s Albacete Technical College (Universidad Laboral, 1974-75) is unobtrusively located in a “no place” on the outskirts of a “city without character”. Away from the limelight, it was barely published, remaining thus far unknown. Therefore, this essay aims to contribute to its historiographic and critical restitution. To do so, the first survey on the building is carried out in relation to both its immediate context and the whole of Cano Lasso’s architectural work and thinking. The analysis provides some key elements to recognize and value significant lessons, such as the creation of an accessible and inclusive, durable and mutable milieu that still serves and dignifies its inhabitants’ life. Four methodological axes are established: first, the bibliographical research undertaken from the architect’s monographs and writings; secondly, the investigation of historical records pertaining to local and national archives, as well as of Cano Lasso papers; thirdly, the comparative analysis with other technical colleges built by the architect, which allows to pinpoint a modern genealogy; finally, the fieldwork consisting of interviews with the architect’s collaborator and the center’s responsible, and most importantly, of the experience of architecture itself through different seasons and times of the building’s activity, turning it into an irreplaceable datum. This complex, which is close in space and time, sets a brilliant example of sobriety and generosity bringing into play minimum resources and maximum aspirations. Being the expression of Cano Lasso’s commitment to the public interest it pays attention to what is necessary with what is strictly necessary.