Edited by Christopher Pierce

Focusing on four main fabrication processes in use at Ceràmica Cumella – extruding, casting, pressing and revolving – Shaping Ideas | Modelando Ideas presents the work of Toni Cumella and the application of his ceramics in some of contemporary architecture’s most significant projects. Born in 1951, the son of ceramicist Antoni Cumella, Tony Cumella studied industrial engineering at the University of Barcelona before devoting himself entirely to ceramics in 1970. After the death of his father in 1985 Cumella redirected the focus of the workshop towards the development of architectural projects and large-scale artworks, working closely with Studio PER. Between 1989 adn 1992 the Cumella workshop undertook two major architectural commissions: the restoration of Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Batlló (with architect Josep Botey) and Parc Güell (with architects José Antonio Martínez Lapeña & Elías Torres). Numerous collaborations followed, including Parc Diagonal Mar and Mercat de Santa Caterina by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, the Spanish Pavilions at Expo 2005 by Foreign Office Architects and Expo 2008 by Patxi Mangado, Villa Nurbs by Enric Ruiz-Geli and major installations by the artists Frederic Amat, Pep Durán adn Joan Fontcuberta. Currently underway are new projects with Renzo Piano, Kengo Kuma and Amanda Levete.