History
Rolph’s father, Peter, was a master architect-builder and carver. In 1902, he left western Norway, arriving during the Gold Rush in Anchorage, Alaska, where he constructed the very first buildings. Later he emigrated to Vancouver, Canada, where Rolph was born in 1929. From the age of five his father took him along to building sites, from the age of seven he taught him to make architectural drawings, and by nine had taught him Vignola’s Five Orders of Architecture.
More than half a century ago, in October 1956, Mary and Rolph Blakstad,
sailed into the harbor of Ibiza.
The rural landscape was psychically pungent; as if retaining or recording all the influences to which it had been subjected, from the sun, wind and rain to the sum of human emotions.
It was like landing in another century: the quayside lined with wooden sailing ships, the loosing of anchors, the running clatter as the chains were let out, the excited greetings from the crowd on shore.
Rolph described the town of Ibiza as “white, pyramidal, a terraced hill rising from the sea with tier upon tier of crystalline cubical houses. They seemed more vegetable than mineral, the softened contours appearing to grow organically out of the ground.
“The architecture of Ibiza is only a part
of an organic, living relationship between
man and nature”
– Rolph Blakstad
The island breathed an extremely ancient atmosphere because the material technology had remained the same for millennia. Everything had a patina. Virtually the only profession in the countryside was farming, the fields and orchards like precious gardens. For about three months a year, the torrents — seasonal water courses — would run; the natural springs always had an abundant supply of clear, fresh water. Flour was ground in mills driven by water, wind or mule power. Donkeys and mules were almost the sole source of transport on land.
And so the Blakstads settled on Ibiza, an island inhabited over the centuries by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Moors and Catalans. Rolph began his extensive study of the island and its culture, its building and its architecture – professions still practiced by his two sons, Nial and Rolf.
His studies became the basis of his work of research, design and building for more than 40 years. Today, the time-honoured family tradition continues with sons Rolf and Nial. A living tradition adapts itself to changing circumstances, but is still based on the local building experience of the island during thousands of years.
The fusion of Ibizan traditions with function, form, and taste is the hallmark of a Blakstad project, dedicated to conserve the cultural significance of the island in today’s architecture. We specialise in design based on historical Mediterranean, primarily Ibizan, architecture, combining style and building techniques to suit contemporary lifestyles.
From the sourcing and acquisition of your desired Ibiza property to the architectural and interior design, planning, building, garden design and landscaping; we manage one or all of these elements, taking into account the unique requirements and economic basis of each project.
We conceive our projects as a whole. The interrelation of interior and exterior spaces are considered, along with how to fully integrate the house into the surrounding landscape.
There must be harmony between the two without losing the essence of the architecture, or compromising the beauty of the land. We continue to use the knowledge of lessons learned over thousands of years in an effort to keep a millennial tradition alive.
There is something very special about the old farmhouses and we must always respect that.
Teamwork
Teamwork makes the dream work - this is not just a saying. It is our philosophy and also our power! The Blakstad team is based on international specialists - passionate and open-minded!
