Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 165

Bruno was sketching ideas for a new park when his phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced down, surprised to see Mateo Villa’s name on the screen. ‘Mateo?’ he murmured, a smile starting to form. ‘What’s Mateo up to?’

Mateo Villa was one of Spain’s most famous architects, and a good friend from Bruno’s days working in Madrid. They used to see each other almost every week back home, sharing tapas and talking about buildings. But since Bruno had moved to Korea, calls from Mateo had become rare.

Bruno’s face lit up when he saw Mateo’s name. He answered quickly, his voice warm and welcoming. “Mateo! Long time no see! What’s up?”

A cheerful voice boomed from the phone. “Hey, Bruno! How have you been?”

“Always great, you know me,” Bruno replied, leaning back in his chair. “Making buildings, drinking coffee. The usual.”

“I hear you’re causing a stir in Korea these days?” Mateo chuckled.

“Oh? Are you talking about the Glacial Tower?”

“That’s right. It was completed recently, wasn’t it?”

“Feels good to be noticed by the great Mateo, I must say.”

“I saw it in EL Croquis,” Mateo said. “It was the cover story, wasn’t it?”

“Haha. You know I’m friendly with those guys. They must like my work,” Bruno said, trying to sound modest, but failing to hide his smile.

EL Croquis was one of the most famous architectural magazines in Spain. It was a reputable magazine that introduced not only Spanish architecture but also world-renowned buildings and the works of famous architects. Therefore, just being featured in it could give one a certain level of recognition, such was its credibility.

‘I suppose I should buy the editor-in-chief a meal when I return to Spain,’ Bruno thought, feeling even better. He knew that the Glacial Tower had been featured in EL Croquis, but he hadn’t known it was the main feature.

“Anyway, what brings you here, Mateo? I doubt you called all the way from Spain just to say hi!”

“Can’t I just call to check in after a long time? Don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh on me?”

“That’s funny, coming from a friend who never calls!”

“Haha.”

“Just get to the point. I’m starting to get curious.”

“Alright, alright. You always were impatient, Bruno.”

Bruno was known for his careful designs, but Mateo was more practical and liked to build things himself. Bruno, well aware of Mateo’s tendencies, was certain from the start that he wouldn’t have called just to say hello.

Mateo continued, “Do you happen to like football?”

At Mateo’s sudden question, Bruno looked puzzled. “Out of the blue, football?”

But the next moment, Mateo said, “Our office has received a request to design a football stadium.”

Bruno was immediately interested. He loved designing special buildings, and a football stadium was definitely special. “A football… stadium?”

“Hehe, does that pique your interest?”

“Of course. It already sounds fun.”

Most architects have a desire to work on a variety of projects. Bruno, in particular, was a designer with a strong desire for special facilities and buildings.

“Wasn’t your hometown Bilbao?”

“No. Bilbao is correct.”

“I see.”

Mateo paused for a moment before continuing. “Anyway, if you’re from Bilbao, you must know the San Mamés stadium, right?”

“Of course. I still remember the massive arch of San Mamés, reaching up like a giant’s arm,” Bruno said.

“They’ve decided to build a new San Mamés stadium this time.”

“Oh…! Is that really true?”

“My office has been given the opportunity to bid on the design.”

Bruno, listening to Mateo’s story, felt a thrill of excitement. Bilbao was Bruno’s hometown, a place full of memories. Therefore, the news that San Mamés Stadium, one of the landmarks there, would be rebuilt was welcome.

However, one question came to Bruno’s mind. “But Mateo.”

“Yes?”

“If it’s a design competition for a stadium like San Mamés, it’s strange that it hasn’t been officially announced… Why haven’t I received any contact from headquarters yet?”

At Bruno’s question, Mateo replied with a laugh. “That’s because what I’m telling you isn’t official yet.”

“Hmm…?”

“A close client of mine is friends with the chairman of Athletic Club, and I heard the story through him.”

“Wow.”

“As you know, our town is very proud of being Basque, isn’t it?”

“Oh, I know it very well. Especially when it comes to football…”

“So, it seems I was contacted first. If I meet a few conditions, they said they would choose my office’s design.”

“Haha. I can roughly picture what’s going on.”

In Spain, football is a sport as popular as the national flag. Especially among men, more than eight out of ten are interested in football. So Bruno was also well aware of Athletic Club, the football team from his hometown, and he also knew about their unique tendencies that they had maintained into the 21st century.

They are very traditional and only use players from the Basque region. He never imagined they would bring that standard to stadium design. Bruno wondered if this was a lucky break for Mateo, or for him too.

After pondering these thoughts for a moment, Bruno spoke again. “Anyway, what are the conditions they want you to meet?”

Bruno frowned slightly, looking at the message on his phone. “Hmm?” he murmured.

Mateo’s voice came through the phone, sounding a little strained. “We can do everything else they asked for, Bruno, but there’s one condition… it’s a bit tricky.”

Bruno leaned forward, interested now. “Tricky how?”

Mateo sighed, the sound clear over the phone line. “They want the whole stadium – everything inside, even the football field itself, except for the size markings – to be like a Gaudí building.”

“Gaudí?” Bruno repeated, surprised. “You mean… like Park Güell?” He knew Park Güell was a famous garden by Gaudí, full of strange shapes and bright colours.

Mateo confirmed, “Exactly. The club president must be a huge Gaudí fan. He wants to make the football stadium like a Park Güell.”

Gaudí. Just the name brought pictures to Bruno’s mind: buildings that seemed to twist and grow like living things, covered in bright mosaics and unexpected shapes. In Spain, Gaudí was more than just an architect; he was almost a legend, loved like a saint for the incredible, dreamlike buildings he created.

So, it wasn’t too surprising that a Spanish football club president might admire Gaudí. But to want a *football stadium* like that? A stadium needed to be practical, regular. Gaudí was anything but. Bruno could understand why Mateo sounded stressed.

Bruno chuckled, a low sound. “So,” he said, “this sounds like something you need my help with?”

Mateo replied quickly, “Exactly! I really need you to come to the association conference this summer.”

“Oh?” Bruno asked, raising an eyebrow. “Why?”

“We’ll have a first design ready by then,” Mateo explained, “but… well, we need your advice. A lot of it, actually.”

Bruno chuckled again. “My advice? You think that will help?”

“Bruno,” Mateo said, a hint of seriousness in his voice, “you’re the best architect I know when it comes to impossible projects. You always find a way.”

Bruno felt a warmth spread through him. It was good to be appreciated by a friend. “Well, if you put it like that,” he said, smiling, “how can I say no?”

“Excellent!” Mateo sounded relieved. “You won’t regret this, Bruno. I owe you one.”

“Hey,” Bruno said, “we’re friends. No need for debts.”

As Bruno talked, he pulled into his driveway. The traffic had been heavy, as usual for rush hour, but the drive home had gone quickly while chatting with Mateo.

“Okay, then, see you in the summer,” Bruno said. “July, right?”

“Second week, I think,” Mateo replied.

“Great. See you then, my friend.”

“And if this stadium thing works out,” Mateo added, “I’ll have to come visit you in Korea.”

“Haha, please do!” Bruno said warmly.

“I’ve always wanted to see your Glacial Tower.”

Bruno smiled, a little proud of that project. He unlocked his front door, stepped inside his quiet apartment, and ended the call. He tossed his phone onto the sofa and sank down beside it.

Mateo had landed a big one. A stadium design? That was a dream project for many architects. Bruno felt a tiny pang of envy, but it was quickly replaced by something else: interest.

“Wow,” he murmured to himself. “A Gaudí stadium… Mateo’s finally got something really exciting.”

But Bruno wasn’t jealous. He was happy with his own work, especially the Parafield project in Wangsimni. That was challenging and exciting enough. He certainly didn’t have time to take on another huge project, even if he wanted to.

He leaned back, thinking. “A stadium like Gaudí…” He imagined the swirling shapes, the bright colours, the unexpected angles. “I can’t wait to see what Mateo comes up with.”

Feeling relaxed now, Bruno ordered some food on his phone. He decided a long, hot bath was exactly what he needed after a busy day. Tomorrow would be filled with his own designs, but for tonight, he would simply rest and let his mind wander about Gaudí stadiums.

***

The bell rang, and Woojin practically jumped out of his seat, quickly stuffing his books into his bag. “Phew,” he muttered, “we’re really cutting it close.”

This class was the only one he shared with Soyeon today. She was just as quick to pack up, following him out of the classroom.

“Woojin,” Soyeon asked, hurrying to keep up, “how long until the meeting?”

“Thirty minutes,” he replied, glancing at his watch.

“Can we make it?”

“Hmm… traffic shouldn’t be too bad right now, hopefully.”

Today was a big day for Woojin. He was finally going to show Bruno his design for the pavilion – the one he’d been working on for over a week. He’d planned to skip this class, but he’d already missed too many this semester. So, he had to attend, even if it made things tight.

“Let’s walk fast, Soyeon,” Woojin said, picking up the pace.

“Okay,” she agreed. Soyeon had classes all day too, and she wasn’t even supposed to be at this meeting with Bruno. But she was curious.

*Bruno was really excited about this pavilion design…*

She’d seen Woojin spending hours in Professor Jo Woon-chan’s office, working on it. She even knew he was using Grasshopper, a design tool that even final year students found difficult. She had to see what he’d created.

“Let’s go!” Woojin said, reaching his car.

*Vroom!*

Soyeon hopped into the passenger seat without hesitation. She had been helping with communication for the Wangsimni Parafield project, so she could probably get away with being at the meeting, even without a direct invitation.

“Fasten your seatbelt,” Woojin said, starting the engine.

“Huh?”

“I might need to drive a little… faster than usual.”

*VROOOOM!*

“Aargh!” Soyeon yelped as Woojin pulled out of the parking lot with surprising speed.

Despite Woojin’s sudden, aggressive driving, they arrived just on time. Jayden was waiting for them at the office, his face bright with excitement.

“Hey, Boss! You made it! Come on in!”

“Golden Print”