Oriol Garcia Alcocer – Estucs Oriol Garcia
ACTIVITY
Oriol Garcia Alcocer is part of the fifth generation of stuccoists in the family firm Estucs Oriol Garcia, established in 1860. Oriol Garcia Alcocer is the son of Oriol Garcia Conesa, from whom he learned the stuccoist’s trade in the family workshop. Since 2009 he… has been the firm’s manager and chief stuccoist.
The tradition of lime mortar has been linked to Mediterranean construction since its origins. Lime is an age-old material with qualities that make it irreplaceable. With the advent of Catalan Art Nouveau, the ways of working it were extended and enriched both technically and chromatically. Oriol Garcia’s is one of the most notable family sagas in the story of this trade with deep roots in Barcelona.
If the slaking process is done properly, the volume of lime does not change as it hardens with carbonation in air. Perfect tightness of joints, a lack of shrinkage and the quality of hardening over time make lime mortar a fine thermal and sound insulator. It also keeps out damp, is non-flammable and will not smoke in a fire. Lime plaster has undeniable qualities as well as a performance meeting today’s requirements for sustainability.
Estucs Oriol Garcia is one of the few firms in the country to have a workshop with a lime-slaking basin, which has on occasion been made available to the Catalan National Art Museum (MNAC) for the restoration of frescos and other artefacts. The firm also has a small stockpile of lime aged over 30 or 40 years.
It is noted for the application of many kinds of rendering using this material, including stuccos, sgraffiti and lime painting.
TRAINING
Oriol Garcia took an interest in the family trade from an early age and would often help with pricking and stencilling tasks in the warehouse. He starting working officially at the age of 15 and over the years has honed his technique and expertise.
Aware of… the importance of preserving and developing his trade, Oriol Garcia took a degree in fine arts at Barcelona University followed by a research MA on stucco, with the aim of bringing knowledge to his trade liable to be applied in new methods and innovations that might help it evolve. With the same idea, Orial intends to conclude his research with a PhD on the subject. He is also working on an extended reissue of the lime and stucco guide Guía Práctica de la Cal y el Estuco written by his father, Oriol Garcia i Conesa, together with Francisco Azconegui Morán and Mónica Martín Sisí.
TEACHING
In 2009 Oriol Garcia Alcocer, together with his father and Pere Valldeperez (a glassmaker with more than 40 years’ experience), set up the Matarraña Traditional Building Foundation in Monroyo de Tastavins to deliver specialist courses on various traditional building crafts. After the great success of… its first year, there have now been several series of courses. Participants are able to learn the theory and practice of lime stucco, woodcarving, stained glass, mural painting, fresco painting and stonework. The courses involve contents delivered previously at the Trades Centre of León.
Beyond this work, his interest in preserving and disseminating his trade is evident from the many courses, seminars and classes he has given to architects, building engineers, construction experts, restorers and masons over the years.
SELECTED WORK
Oriol Garcia Alcocer has an extensive track record and is widely recognised in the construction sector. Examples of his most notable work are:
– Sala de las Musas and Sala Toroidal at the Prado Museum in Madrid
– Casa Coll i Regàs in Mataró, whose facade restoration… received an award at the 5th Maresme Architecture Show
– Hot-ironed fresco stucco in Sala Verdaguer at Casa Villa Joana in Vallvidrera
– In the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona he has worked on the choir lofts and the crypt restoration, among other areas of the church
– Villa Esperanza, an 1893 building designated a cultural heritage site
The expertise of Estucs Oriol Garcia has also led them to work with renowned architects such as Óscar Tusquets, Rafael Moneo or Tonet Suñé.
