Title screen shot from “El Architecto de Nueva York”
The biographical documentary, El Architecto de Nueva York, was honored with a Golden Dolphin Award at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards on October 13, 2016. Directed by Eva Vizcarra and produced by RTVE/Endora Producciones, the film won in the category of History and Civilization.
The accomplished life of Rafael Guastavino, an architect born in Valencia, Spain is the focus of this documentary. He emmigrated to the USA from Spain in 1881 and proceeded to design and build some of the most recognizable architectural gems of Manhattan – yet his name is still largely unrecognized. This award-winning film is a celebration of his life and brings long overdue awareness and enlightenment about his contributions to the architecture in cities worldwide.
- Learn more about the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards and the Golden Dolphins.
- View the documentary in its entirety. (scroll down to Category B20: History and Civilization for the link)
The Vertical Access Connection
Kent Diebolt and Berta de Miguel guide viewers through Grand Central Station. Screen shot from “El Architecto de Nueva York”.
Kent Diebolt, and Berta de Miguel of Vertical Access are studied in the history of Rafael Guastavino – his vault construction techniques and his many architectural structures throughout the United States. Both appear in the film guiding viewers through iconic examples of his work in New York City such as Grand Central Terminal, the Guastavino Oyster Bar, Ellis Island and more. In 2013, Kent and Berta organized a hands-on tile vaulting construction workshop at the Association for Preservation Technology (APT) Annual Conference.
- Read more and see photos from the workshop here.
- Watch a news story about the APT Vault Construction Workshop produced by RTVE, a public broadcasting station from Spain that includes time-lapse footage of vault construction.