EMUVE visit Sala Ferušic

Alice
Feb 17, 2016
2 min read

Our last Monday in Barcelona, we ventured to Vila de Gràcia to architects Sala Ferušic. Founded in 2008, by architects Carles Sala and Relja Ferusic, their studio is a perfect excerpt of their creativity. With poster lined walls, shelves full of concept models and products from their collaboration with other organisations cut as the AA visiting school, their office is an insight into there design process. This wasn't surprising then when we were introduced to their work.

After leaving their previous practice in 2008 mid recession, their risk paid off when a family member commissioned them to design a winery. After completing this, through a rigorous research and creative process, wineries are now a continuous commission for the practice.

Their awards include Honourable Mention in FAD’s prize ‘Vivir con Madera’, or the winery ‘Lagravera’, First Prize at the ‘3M 2010’ Awards by the Association of Architects of Catalonia, ‘COAC’, and selected at the ‘Collegium Artisticum 2010’ Awards, held by the Association of Architects of Sarajevo, ‘ASAS’.

Carles, one half of Sala Ferušic also teaches at the Welsh School of Architecture in 1st year, running the Vertical Studio unit, requiring him to commute between Spain and Wales every week. Speaking of his work, he praised the agenda of the 1st year teaching, being more progressive than in Spain.

Relja on the other hand works in 1st year at ESTAB. Both mentioning the importance of practicing alongside teaching, the consequential impact one has on the other is only a positive, with each teaching the other new lessons.

The trip as a whole was very inspiring. Witnessing the way the work together as a unit, the graphic style of the work being very impressive and the passion which they speak of their projects was infectious.

We got a lot of inspiration from the materiality of their projects and the richness research directly fed into each of their end designs.

Both Carles and Relja have been guest critiques at our presentations and have each brought a new perspective, away from perhaps the academic and theoretical, that can only be descried as 'real'. Both discussed the importance of investigating our projects with real examples, to really focus in on our subject matter, to interview, connect and discuss with our subject, which will then lead to deeper understandings of our investigation.