Germán Rodríguez Arias

Germán Rodríguez Arias (Barcelona, 1902 – 1987).

Catalan architect and designer, together with Josep Lluís Sert, Josep Torres Clavé, Sixte Illescas and Ricardo de Churruca, among others, he introduced architectural rationalism to Catalonia and was a founding member of GATCPAC. The buildings he designed in the city of Barcelona form part of the heritage of universal rationalist architecture.

During his exile in Mexico and subsequently in Chile, he focused his work on designing interiors and furniture; as a result of his very close relationship with the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, Rodríguez Arias was the architect behind the various homes Neruda had built in Chile during his lifetime. Together with Cristián Aguadé and Claudi Tarragó he founded Muebles Sur, which would become one of the country’s leading furniture makers.

In 1957 he returned to his homeland and settled on Ibiza, once again getting together with his companions Sert, Prats and Illescas. He worked as a municipal architect on the island, combining this with projects as a private architect and principally designing hotels and homes, including his own house at Portinatx.