Austria
With a series of video portraits, TV journalist Sibylle Tiessen takes us on a captivating journey into a world full of exciting projects, cultural diversity and authentic stories on Mallorca. Supported by TUI, the TUI Care Foundation and Majorca Daily Bulletin, viewers learn more about the island from a whole new perspective, from inspiring stories of locals to social, artistic, ecological, scientific and political aspects.
Episode 15: The Vision of Vicenç Mulet for Sustainable Architecture in Mallorca
Creativity and the urge to create something of his own already characterised Vicenç Mulet from a young age. He soon realised that he wanted to build houses. Today, he is one of Mallorca's best-known architects.
Mulet criticises the quick, careless construction of hotels and buildings on the island. " A house should have a certain character," he explains. The materials should be sustainable and local rather than from the other side of the world.
In the north of the island, in Son Serra de Marina, Mulet originally built a house for a friend, which he now inhabits himself. The area is not yet "overbuilt" and there is a ban on hotel construction to avoid spoiling the natural surroundings.
Although the structures resemble the Bauhaus style, the house incorporates traditional Mallorcan features, such as a courtyard that serves as the center for the whole family. "A patio not only regulates temperatures, but also privacy," Mulet explains.
"I always work in places that inspire me, and my home is one of them, so I don't need an office," says Mulet. He does not have an own style but adapts his designs to the surroundings and the needs of the buyer. Each building develops individual characteristics and becomes a "personal feelgood machine," says Mulet.
One project that Mulet particularly remembers is the "Edificio Escalera" on Carrer del Moll at Palma's harbour. “The harbour authority commissioned me to redesign the level in 2012 and create more access to the sea. I wanted to make this place one of the best viewpoints in Palma," explains Mulet.
The current architectural style of Mallorca does not reflect the values of Mulet in any way. "The hotel buildings were built with lack of consideration during the tourist boom on Mallorca and don't fit in with the island," says Mulet with a heavy heart. "This is how we are destroying authentic Mallorca. We are finally having to rethink."
