Here stands a plaque honoring a man who shaped Madrid. This is the Teodoro Ardemans Plaque. It marks the place where Teodoro Ardemans lived. He was no ordinary resident. Ardemans served as the architect for King Philip V. He also held the position of Master Builder for the Madrid City Council.
Teodoro Ardemans was a true Madrid native born in 1664. His father was German. He served as a guard. His mother was Italian. Ardemans received an excellent education. He attended the Colegio Imperial on Toledo Street. This is now the San Isidro Institute. He studied mathematics there from ages 16 to 18.
Álvarez de Baena said that Ardemans dedicated himself to architecture. He also studied perspective optics and all types of stonework. He mastered bricklaying woodwork and metalwork. Claudio Coello served as his teacher.
Ardemans’ career took him to Granada. He worked as Master Builder at the cathedral. He created the stone vaulting that covers the choir. He also leveled the land. This prepared for bringing water from the mountains.
Later Ardemans worked in Toledo as Master Builder. He eventually returned to Madrid. He finished the construction of the Casa de la Villa in 1670. Philip V appointed him as Court Painter. Yet his most remarkable work was the design of the palace. He also designed the gardens and church. This was for the Royal Site of La Granja de San Ildefonso. He also worked on the Iglesia de San Justo y Pastor. He contributed to the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo in Madrid too.
Beyond his architectural achievements Teodoro Ardemans was an author. He wrote notable books. One was “Declaración y extensión sobre las Ordenanzas de Madrid”. It offered advice to builders and private individuals. Another was “Fluencias de la tierra y curso subterráneo de las aguas: Madrid”.
Teodoro Ardemans lived and died in this house. It was his property along with neighboring buildings. He passed away on February 15 1726. He was buried in the Capuchin convent of San Antonio. The Teodoro Ardemans Plaque reminds us of his significant contributions to Madrid. He left a lasting mark on the city’s architecture and urban planning. His legacy lives on in the buildings he helped create and the books he wrote.