Art in the form of furniture at the Universidad Laboral de Gijón

Within the Universidad Laboral, the furniture designed and manufactured by the gallery owner Aurelio Biosca stands out; as could not be otherwise, the stylistic guidelines and the quality of the pieces designed by Biosca were laid down by the directing architect, who ratified the first contracts in 1953.

To that end Luis Moya stated:

"the furniture must follow the same style throughout the building, as well as the same concept of absolutely utilitarian furniture, but of high quality and with no concessions to the decorative or to historical styles, which are out of place in this Universidad Laboral"

The requirements set out by Luis Moya for the furniture contradict the historicist architectural approach of the Universidad Laboral de Gijón. Nevertheless, the great reliability of Eugenio Biosca's factory made it perfectly capable of manufacturing the furniture commissioned for this centre. The Biosca firm had already supplied, in 1943, the furniture for the Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), designed by the architect Miguel Fisac. The experience gained at the CSIC provided the gallery owner Biosca with a large number of designs, which he later took up again for making the furniture of the Universidad Laboral de Gijón.

The construction system, the combination of woods, the fittings and the metal sheaths on the legs of the tables and chairs confirm the resemblance.

The immense heritage of furniture of the Universidad Laboral languishes in various rooms, in makeshift storerooms, in the former classrooms and in the cells of the religious communities.

It should be noted that during the various turbulent periods the Universidad Laboral went through from 1978 onwards, losses and disappearances due to deterioration, uncontrolled plundering and neglect have been recorded. Nevertheless, despite the neglect suffered, many pieces of furniture remain in good condition and attest to the high quality of the furniture made, since in the works of 2005 certain parts of the centre were furnished with stored furniture that had first been restored.

Likewise, in the works on the new cafeteria opened in 2024, part of the stored furniture was used, once restored and adapted to the new decoration, but keeping the basic structures of the reused pieces.

Various photographs of furniture made by the firm Biosca for the Universidad Laboral de Gijón

BELOW WE SHOW A WIDE RANGE OF THE VARIOUS MODELS OF TABLES, CHAIRS AND ARMCHAIRS THAT FURNISHED VARIOUS SPACES WITHIN THE UNIVERSIDAD LABORAL

Furniture currently in service in the offices, and photographs of the cafeteria with furniture restored in the works of 2005

After more than 50 years, and the use made of this furniture by the thousands of students who passed through the Universidad Laboral since classes began in 1955, we see that, thanks to the very high quality of its manufacture, it remains in perfect condition.

Set of furniture currently in the waiting room in the former Directorate entrance hall, refurbished in 2005

Photographs of the cafeteria with chairs and tables refurbished in 2005

Photographs of the cafeteria prior to 2005, with the furniture of that time

Stored set of tables and chairs with various coloured finishes

It can be said that the restoration of the old furniture reused in the new cafeteria was carried out impeccably, keeping Eugenio Biosca's original 1950s structure and design, which demonstrates the high quality of its craftsmanship and design.

Despite the 70 years that have passed, this furniture continues to demonstrate its fine manufacture and its modern design, which is perfectly suited to the present day