David Chipperfield, between relaxing and working at his sanctuary in Corrubed

There is no hesitation when it comes to confirming that Galicia is a place that both locals and foreigners fall in love with. Climate, people, gastronomy and coast, along with many other aspects, are capable of conquering everyone, even the biggest planetary eminences. David Chipperfield is one of them. The Briton, one of the world’s architectural gurus, met Galicia in 1992 and since then their paths have not diverged.

It was the small coastal town of Corrubedo that bewitched Chipperfield’s heart and artistic vein, as a privileged place that the British turned into their refuge. As another compatriot, the brand-new winner of the Pritzker Prize — the most prestigious international award for architecture — attended his meeting this weekend with the city between relaxation and occupation that entails being one of the most influential artists in the West.

Sitting on the terrace of the humble bar do Porto, which he himself reopened in 2020, Chipperfield enjoyed a Saturday morning with his family between numerous phone calls. At the end of one of them, and attacked, as many times, by informers, he gladly dares to take a few photos of himself posing in a tavern.

After the end of the impromptu session, he returns to his seat with the laughter of his daughters, aware that they will have to serve as translators after a quick secret negotiation, because although accompanied by his naturalness and pure smile, Chipperfield’s talent crosses borders and languages: “There is no disconnection, he came I’m at work. I’m going to Santiago de Compostela to develop projects and collaborate with the RIA Foundation”, he explained under the watchful eye of his coffee companions, who noted that absolute rest does not exist for the British, not even in such a convenient place as Corrubedo.

country lover

Despite his busy schedule, this is not the first time the architect has visited Galicia since receiving the Pritzker last March. In fact, a few days after the confession, Chipperfield made a quick stop in the small town of Ribeirense “to take a few photos,” joked relatives who accompanied him before taking a break to finish some negotiations.

A mind capable of imagining and performing deeds of such a level never ceases. Over the years, Corrubedo, his home in Galicia, has been a privileged canvas on which the British architect has expressed all his creativity.

From the renovation of Bar do Porto—popularly known as Chippi’s bar—to his own holiday home and even a sculpture by London artist Antony Gormley that Chipperfield donated to the City Council, the architect’s legacy has spread the city’s name across the planet. “No new projects for Corrubedo,” he said as he took the last sip of his coffee in a tone that suggested he had ideas in the bedroom.

Beyond his figure as an architect, David Chipperfield became another neighbor of the town of Ribeirense. Away from the media spotlight in his little corner of Galicia, he bids farewell to the Corrubedans who treat him as what he is, another countryman. The language barrier does not limit English activities in the small sea paradise of Corrubedo. “Very open” and “sociable” are the qualifications that are most often repeated among parishioners when describing the character of Pritzker.

After three days in Galicia, where he did not have time to practice sailing, another of his passions, the architect will pack his bags to continue his activity and continue developing new projects. Chipperfield, ahead of its time that leaves a mark and not only for its impressive buildings.