Arquitectura-G completes Patio House, a single-story residence in Aiguablava, Spain, that distills domestic life into a continuous loop of light, air, and shadow. The architectural team uses the courtyard typology as a spatial tool to mediate between the natural terrain and the built form, creating a dwelling that feels enclosed and open at the same time.

A setback from the original plot boundary defines the geometry of the house, a move that preserves a ring of untouched terrain around the perimeter. Within this protected envelope, a roofed porch traces a perfect square, enclosing a 15 × 15 meter courtyard framed by a colonnade. At its center lies a shallow reflecting pool and three trees whose canopies filter sunlight across the paving, forming a living microclimate. A thin roof plane seems to hover lightly above the columns and perimeter wall, uniting all spaces under a single horizon.

all images by Maxime Delvaux, unless stated otherwise

continuous porch wraps around patio house

The Barcelona-based collective Arquitectura-G transforms the archetype of the Mediterranean patio house into a contemporary statement of restraint, material clarity, and environmental intelligence. Inside, life circulates through a continuous corridor that wraps the courtyard. Conceived as a variable-width porch, this transitional zone gradually shifts in character from a narrow passage to generous communal spaces like the living room and kitchen. Every room opens directly onto the courtyard through large glazed panels and adjustable louver screens, which regulate light and ventilation.

Arquitectura-G completes Patio House in Aiguablava, Spain

a continuous loop of light, air, and shadow

the architects use the courtyard typology as a spatial tool

a dwelling that feels enclosed and open at the same time

a setback from the original plot boundary defines the geometry of the house

a move that preserves a ring of untouched terrain around the perimeter

life circulates through a continuous corridor that wraps the courtyard

a roofed porch traces a perfect square

enclosing a 15 × 15 meter courtyard framed by a colonnade

a thin roof plane seems to hover lightly above the columns

uniting all spaces under a single horizon

every room opens directly onto the courtyard

large glazed panels and adjustable louver screens regulate light and ventilation

project info:

name: Patio House

architect: Arquitectura-G | @arquitecturag

location: Aiguablava (Girona), Spain

lead architects: Jonathan Arnabat, Jordi Ayala-Bril, Aitor Fuentes, Igor Urdampilleta

project team: Diogo Porto, Siddartha Rodrigo, Jesús Jiménez

structure engineer: Ofici:Arquitectura

MEP engineer: TDI Enginyers

surveyor: Xavier de Bolòs

photographer: Maxime Delvaux | @maxdelv

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The proposed Elche Congress Centre ‘Espardenyer’ by Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos is planned for a site between the Spanish city’s historic Vila and the contemporary district of Altabix. Conceived as a civic building with an urban role, the project occupies a transitional edge and treats it as a place of connection rather than separation, giving built form to a shared public space.

From its site, the building addresses Elche’s layered context through scale and orientation. A compact mass rises from a solid base, calibrated to the Mediterranean light and heat. With its facade of woven textiles, the volume engages the surrounding streets through porosity at ground level to lend shaded places for gathering. It reads as part of the city’s fabric rather than an isolated object.

visualizations © Playtime

the facade of woven esparto grass

A defining feature of Espardenyer proposal by Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos is its vegetal veil made from esparto, a material long associated with local craft and domestic construction. Woven elements filter sunlight and air, creating a moderated exterior envelope that responds to climate while offering a tactile presence. This layer operates as both environmental device and cultural reference, translating familiar techniques into a contemporary architectural language.

Inside, circulation is organized with legibility and ease. Public areas progress naturally toward the central performance halls, which form the core of the Congress Centre. These interior spaces emphasize acoustic performance and spatial focus, while secondary programs support conferences, exhibitions, and informal use. The architecture supports varied scales of occupation without theatrical excess.

Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos propose Espardenyer as a congress center for Elche, Spain

community space by Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos

At street level, Espardenyer extends civic space into the building footprint. Paved areas transition into shaded zones that invite pause and encounter, forming an urban agora that belongs as much to passersby as to visitors attending events. Thresholds between exterior and interior are deliberately softened to encourage permeability and everyday use.

Environmental strategies are embedded in the design approach. Passive measures work alongside renewable energy systems and geothermal technologies to support comfort in Elche’s warm climate. Local materials reduce transport impact while reinforcing a sense of place. 

a woven esparto veil filters sunlight and recalls local craft traditions

interior circulation guides visitors intuitively toward central performance halls

ground level spaces extend public space into shaded urban gathering areas

acoustic halls form the functional heart of the Congress Centre

environmental strategies rely on passive design and renewable systems

project info:

name: Espardenyer

architecture: Luca Poian Forms | @lucapoianforms, Frade Arquitectos | @fradearquitectos

location: Elche, Spain

engineer: PROINTEC
visualizations: © Playtime | @playtime.barcelona

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The Cathedral of Eternal Roots, designed by GemStones Architecture & Design under the direction of Ines J. Pedras, is a contemporary sacred architecture proposal located within a national park in the Guadarrama Mountains of central Spain. Conceived as a sculptural landmark embedded in the landscape, the project explores how Gothic spatial principles can be reinterpreted through organic geometry, advanced construction systems, and a strong relationship to site.

The cathedral is organized as a continuous spatial ascent, guiding visitors from the ground toward elevated interior spaces. Its form emerges from the terrain as a mineral-like structure, positioning the building as an extension of the surrounding geology rather than an isolated object. The design aims to establish a place for pause and reflection through material presence, scale, and controlled movement. The cathedral’s exterior envelope is constructed using ultra-light stone composite panels. These panels combine thin natural stone veneers with aluminum honeycomb cores, enabling large spans and vertical height while reducing structural weight. The system allows the building to maintain a luminous and permeable appearance, balancing mass with visual lightness.

all images courtesy of GemStones Architecture & Design – Ines J. Pedras

GemStones’ Landscape-oriented Approach to Sacred Architecture

A helical staircase located at the center of the cathedral functions as a vertical spine, connecting the lower levels to the upper vaults. Its double-logarithmic geometry reinforces the project’s emphasis on continuous ascent, linking circulation directly to the architectural form. Traditional ecclesiastical elements, such as arches and vaults, are reinterpreted through root-inspired geometries and hyperbolic curves, translating historical references into a contemporary structural language. Light plays a defining role in shaping the interior atmosphere. Vertical slits and translucent stained openings direct daylight into the space, producing a gradual transition from shadowed lower zones to brighter upper volumes. Vault geometries respond to gravitational forces and solar orientation, combining computational methods with references to Gothic ribbed structures.

The spatial sequence is designed as a progression from dense, textured stone surfaces at the base toward lighter, more permeable forms above. As visitors move upward, material opacity decreases and light becomes more prominent, reinforcing the vertical narrative of the building. This gradual transformation defines the cathedral’s interior experience through changes in scale, illumination, and material expression. Through its integration of landscape, structure, and light, the Cathedral of Eternal Roots by GemStones Architecture & Design Studio proposes a contemporary interpretation of sacred space. The project emphasizes construction logic, material refinement, and spatial continuity, framing architecture as a mediator between ground and sky within a natural setting.

undulating glass arches glow with warm interior light, harmonizing with the rugged terrain

the cathedral mediates between ground and sky through structure, light, and form

the sanctuary’s expansive glass facades reflect the surrounding alpine landscape

a grand staircase leads toward the sanctuary’s ethereal glass facade, crowned by a cross

a rhythmic procession of gray granite arches evokes the timeless grandeur of neoclassical colonnades

organic arcs and spiraling gothic ascent compose the shadowed nave

a mesmerizing concrete vortex ceiling spirals inward like a hyperbolic funnel

a modular grid of polygonal voids arranges in mathematical harmony

the building is conceived as a sculptural landmark integrated into the surrounding landscape

project info:

name: Cathedral of Eternal Roots

architect: GemStones Architecture & Design

lead architect: Ines J. Pedras | @ines_jpedras

engineering and photography: GemStones Architecture & Design

location: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain

area unit: 5200 sqm

total site area: 13.650.000 sqm

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Perched in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella, Spain, Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture, designed by Manuel Ruiz Moriche of ARK Architects. This design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability to create a residence that exists in perfect harmony with its surroundings. The home is guided by ARK’s unique philosophy of bio-architecture, a transformative approach that uses architecture as a mediator between humans and nature to enhance well-being.

the home is located in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella
all images courtesy of ARK Architects

luxury yet sustainable architecture

The Villa Geneve’s clean, modern lines blend organically into the lush landscape of La Zagaleta, with open views across the Benahavís mountains, the Mediterranean Sea and Africa. ARK Architects’ design celebrates the connection between interior and exterior, creating a home that breathes and adapts to the rhythm of life. Contemporary luxury here is defined by authenticity and a connection with the environment, symbolizing a shift toward a quiet, conscious, and sustainable lifestyle.

the design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability

A firm commitment to sustainability is evident in the materials chosen. In keeping with the ARK philosophy, the project exclusively uses natural, unprocessed materials such as stone, chemically unprocessed wood, and unadulterated finishes. Even the paints are lime-based, promoting healthy living within the villa. These materials are expressed in their purest form possible, reinforcing the project’s dedication to sustainability and achieving a raw yet refined aesthetic.

the bio-architecture achieve a raw yet refined aesthetic

The architecture and interior design are seamlessly combined. The spaces have been furnished with pieces from Flexform and the exclusive ARK Collection, reflecting timeless design, real comfort, and the highest quality materials. Every detail is carefully considered to complement natural light and the surrounding landscape, ensuring that style, functionality, and personality coexist in perfect harmony. Villa Geneve welcomes occupants to luxury living rooted in nature and well-being.

the interior features a timeless design, real comfort, and the highest quality materials

every detail ensures that style, functionality, and personality coexist in perfect harmony

the home welcomes occupants to luxury living rooted in nature and well-being

inside, even the pool and gym complement natural light with the surrounding landscape

Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture

the project exclusively uses natural, unprocessed materials such as stone, wood, and finishes

project info:

name: Villa Geneve
studio: ARK Architects

architect: Manuel Ruiz Moriche

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Spanish bathroom brand, Roca, turned to the Barcelona-based studio Altherr Désile Park (ADP) for a contemporary update of its Meridian collection, seeking a studio that could demonstrate a sensitivity to an existing design, be respectful of its legacy, yet capable of bringing a new, fresh perspective. The updated Meridian collection successfully merges these requirements, offering a system of basins, furniture, and WCs characterized by fine materials and soft geometry. In this exclusive interview with designboom, designer Jannette Altherr shares insights into how the studio approached the sensitive task of evolving a classic bathroom design for the modern age, transforming its functional pieces with an architectonic quality.

‘We believe that everything is related – the user and their emotions, cultural context, the build and the natural environment, the materials, colors, production and resources. Every element is a matter of context. Meridian already has a powerful name that represents one of its important aspects: the arch as a symbol of Mediterranean architectural culture. This was crucial to preserve,’ begins Jannette Altherr.

Roca’s Meridian collection gets a contemporary update | all images courtesy of Roca

ROCA’S MERIDIAN CULTIVATES A SENSITIVE, ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH

Altherr Désile Park’s sensitivity to context was vital when approaching Roca’s Meridian line. The original collection’s crucial DNA was the arch, a powerful symbol of Mediterranean architectural culture. ADP translated this spirit by drawing inspiration from the austere, vernacular expressions found in the Spanish, Portuguese, or Greek countryside. This design choice reflects a commitment to reduced, elemental shapes, the interplay of strong light and shadow, and the use of noble materials like ceramic, wood, and metal. While ADP also works in the luxury sector, this project offered a unique opportunity to translate the quality, care, and attention typical of luxury design into products that are accessible to a broader audience — a core value shared with the Spanish brand. Rejecting the idea of constant invention, their approach favors an evolution that is subtle and deeply sensed.

‘There is this hype around the idea of breaking things and starting completely anew. I think that is, to a large degree, a myth. Sometimes it’s more important to keep, to care, and to delicately evolve things instead of throwing away and starting again,’ explains Altherr. ‘We spent hours defining a concept together with Roca, and “timeless balance” really captures the essence of the collection. When I think about timelessness, it relates to what we call collective memory. We preferred designing something that doesn’t seek to provoke or be aggressive. We looked for the opposite: something that makes you feel at ease and adds quality to your space. Something that speaks to all the senses including sound and touch — the subtle elements that create atmosphere, rather than just what is captured in a photograph.’

Barcelona-based studio Altherr Désile Park created the refreshed design

CONTEMPORARY UPDATES FOR A LIGHTWEIGHT AND DELICATE COLLECTION

ADP studio’s update focused on refining and lightening the Meridian collection. The original washbasin felt  too heavy in its appearance to fit the modern aesthetic of bathroom design. The solution was to utilize Roca’s Fineceramic® material, which permitted the use of super thin and delicate dimensions that were previously unachievable. This aesthetic reduction was paired with an increased function, adding a subtle frame and a dry zone. The soft, curving shape of the basin was inspired by the cultural importance of water, specifically referencing a drop falling onto a water surface, creating a gentle ripple.

‘If you have a small room and use thick, solid furniture, it can look out of proportion. To create something that feels refined and carefully done in a small dimension requires delicate detail. We had to translate the original pieces into a design way more contemporary and easy to use in real life. This meant adding storage, using the ceramic in a more up-to-date way, and utilizing Roca’s capacity with fine ceramic to do something more lightweight and delicate instead of a thick block. The pieces needed to become more practical, but also more refined and a bit more luxurious,’ states the designer.

Roca’s Fineceramic® material permitted the use of super thin and delicate dimensions

To create a richer ambiance, the material selection went beyond pure hygiene to enhance a sensuous quality. The furniture units use FSC-certified wood with a textured surface, and the metal elements feature a slightly rough lacquer finish that resembles cast metal. The color palette — white, black, and gold — is inspired by the Spanish light, which is characterized by strong white light and deep black shadows, balanced by the golden light of the early morning.

‘We wanted to think about materials as something that enhances a rich perception, rather than being driven only by hygiene. The aim was to create a “nice to touch” sensation. The surface of the wood is always textured and not finished with a lacquer. The metal is a bit rough, like cast metal. It has little pigments on the surface that break the light in a more complex way than a flat lacquer. This avoids the feeling of industrial dryness and adds more complexity to the surface,’ she shares.

made from FSC-certified wood, the furniture units respect the collection’s low-impact environmental footprint

A key technical and aesthetic victory was the redesign of the often-neglected backpack toilet where the water tank is sitting behind the toilet. While the in-wall flush is often preferred in high-quality projects, the backpack version is essential for older buildings lacking space to construct a double wall, or for hospitality and public settings requiring quick, inexpensive repairs.  ADP worked with Roca’s expertise to achieve a much straighter, more architectural language for this highly needed version, shifting the object’s perception from a bowl saddled with a backpack to a column that supports the bowl. This change brings a sense of solidity, fulfilling the studio’s ethos of providing quality design to a broad audience. Furthermore, the toilets utilize innovative flushing technologies such as the Rimless® Vortex System and dual-flushing systems to improve hygiene and optimize water consumption. 

‘We realized there is a real need for this backpack version. With Roca’s excellent development team and expertise, we managed to create a much straighter shape. We wanted to relax the gesture and make a connection to the architecture. Instead of the bowl carrying the water container, the water tank serves as a column supporting the bowl,’ adds Altherr to describe the design details that bring character to the collection.

ADP worked with Roca’s expertise to achieve a clean architectural language

The Meridian collection has already received important recognition, including a Red Dot Award in 2025. Functioning as an ‘alphabet of simple elements’ in multiple sizes, it allows for a wide range of configurations across diverse project needs. The system includes several washbasin options, from compact wall-hung versions to models designed to pair with furniture. These are complemented by two furniture lines: a wall-mounted wood container and a floor-standing metal structure that combines with wood drawers. By providing these flexible components, Altherr Désile Park has created a robust system that adapts easily to diverse spatial, aesthetic, and functional requirements, ensuring the collection can continue to evolve with the user and remain part of the home for many years.

the Meridian collection functions as an ‘alphabet of simple elements’ in multiple sizes

a standout feature is the construction of the asymmetric basins

Altherr Désile Park has created a robust system that adapts to diverse requirements

innovative flushing technologies improve hygiene and optimises water consumption

project info: 

name: Meridian

brand: Roca | @roca_global

design studio: Altherr Désile Park | @altherrdesilepark

material: Fineceramic®, FSC-certified wood, metal

recognition: Red Dot Award 2025

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In the burn scar left by the 2022 wildfire in Sabinares del Arlanza – La Yecla Natural Park, Spain, Nomad Studio places Socarrado, a circular structure built entirely from charred juniper trunks recovered after the blaze. First conceived for the Uncommissioned Exhibition by Novo Collective, the work becomes a point of collective reflection for the communities of Santo Domingo de Silos, transforming damaged terrain into a site of memory, refuge, and healing. Its unexpected impact on visitors ultimately led local authorities in Burgos to keep the installation embedded in the landscape rather than dismantle it as originally planned.

The 15-meter-wide ring is assembled from blackened juniper trunks stacked concentrically, forming a dark perimeter that still bears the physical trace of fire. Their crowns extend outward across the terrain like the faint outline of a vanished forest, while the circular configuration recalls traditional Castilian enclosures once used to protect livestock. At the center, a three-meter-diameter cavity rises into a small vaulted chamber made from split trunks. A single opening at the apex allows a narrow shaft of light to pierce the dense timber mass.

The vertical weight of the charred wood, the scent of resin, and the subdued lighting inside the structure create an atmosphere that borders on ritual. The space concentrates attention on the surrounding land’s wounds while suggesting the possibility of renewal. ‘Socarrado encourages visitors to be present, value authenticity, and restore their essential bond with the land,’ notes Nomad Studio co-founder Laura Santín.

all images by Nomad, unless stated otherwise

a critical reflection on digital distance and fragile ecologies

Beyond the sculptural form of Socarrado, creative workshop Nomad Studio proposes a broader critique of how contemporary life distances people from their environments. The circle of burnt junipers becomes a counterpoint to a digital world that dilutes attention and distorts our sense of place. Its simplicity insists on pausing, focusing and reconnecting with what cannot be mediated by screens.

Residents, volunteers, local businesses, and partners participated directly in collecting material and assembling the work. Its realization was fully funded through collective contributions and supported by the Municipality of Santo Domingo de Silos, the Natural Park management, SOMACYL, Bombyte, and others.

In March 2026, the site will host ergo IGNIS, a performative action conceived by artist William Kingswood in collaboration with local performers. Designed as a ritual of awareness, the piece responds to the burned landscape and the communal energy that shaped Socarrado. After visiting the site, Kingswood described it as ‘a desolation, a return to nature, a refuge within a hostile landscape.’

Nomad Studio places Socarrado in the burn scar left by the 2022 wildfire in Sabinares del Arlanza, Spain

a circular structure built entirely from charred juniper trunks recovered after the blaze

the work becomes a point of collective reflection | image by Almudena Cadalso

transforming damaged terrain into a site of memory

its impact on visitors led local authorities to keep the installation permanently | image by Almudena Cadalso

assembled from blackened juniper trunks stacked concentrically | image by Almudena Cadalso

a three-meter-diameter cavity rises into a small vaulted chamber made from split trunks | image by Michael Heinrich

the circular configuration recalls traditional Castilian enclosures | image by Almudena Cadalso

a narrow shaft of light pierces the dense timber mass | image by Michael Heinrich

an atmosphere that borders on ritual | image by Almudena Cadalso

crowns extend outward across the terrain like the faint outline of a vanished forest | image by Michael Heinrich

a dark perimeter still bears the physical trace of fire | image by Michael Heinrich

project info:

name: Socarrado

architect: Nomad Studio | @thenomadstudio

location: Sabinares del Arlanza – La Yecla Natural Park, Burgos, Spain

area: approx. 200 square meters

support: Municipality of Santo Domingo de Silos, Park Management Office, SOMACYL, Bombyte, local collaborators

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SIGLA Studio completes Patio House in Cardedeu, Spain, a single-family home that treats time as material and method. Conceived for a young couple with two children leaving behind a cramped, compartmentalized apartment, the project offers generous light, direct outdoor connection, and the ability for the house to evolve with changing family life. Built almost entirely within the limits of a narrow, deep plot, the house forms a protective brick perimeter around two inner patios, described by the architects as ‘lungs’, an organizational strategy that gives the family privacy, cross-ventilation, and a slow, measured relationship to daylight.

The current arrangement places the parents’ suite upstairs and the children in interconnected rooms, but the home can invert this configuration as the family grows older. The ground floor can become the main sleeping area; upper rooms can merge or be divided, requiring no construction, only a rethinking of use.

all images by Marta Vidal

Patios as Lungs: Breathing Light and Fresh Air Into a Compact Site

The idea of designing for permanence guided the studio from the outset. Years after encountering the Georg Kolbe Museum House in Berlin, the Barcelona-based architects carried with them the impression of a place that felt relevant nearly a century after its construction, its garden and architecture coexisting without spectacle. That sense of durability resurfaces in Cardedeu, conceiving the house as an environment to be lived in, aged into, and reinterpreted by future occupants. The strategy echoes references such as Alvar Aalto’s Muuratsalo house, where brick walls define, shelter, and mediate the relationship with nature.

Responding to the tight site, SIGLA Studio established the ground floor as a near-complete footprint, respecting setbacks while shaping an inward-facing domestic world. Two patios, one at the entrance and one by the pool, become the lungs of the home, distributing daylight and fresh air to every room. Around them the team organizes the day-to-day spaces, including an entrance hall, kitchen, dining and living rooms, a full bathroom, laundry, garage, and a multipurpose area. Above, two large rooms can be divided into four, while a central landing offers space for study, reading, or play. 

SIGLA Studio’s Patio House in Cardedeu, Spain

Materials curated to Reveal the Changing Day

Patio House is anchored by its handmade brick, produced at Forn d’Obra Duran, one of Catalonia’s last artisanal kilns. Each brick, shaped from natural clay, slow-dried, and wood-fired, is slightly different, creating a subtle variation across walls, pavements, sills, and copings. Brick forms the structure, the envelope, and the surface underfoot. By choosing a material that earns its patina, the architects reinforce the commitment of the project to longevity and environmental coherence. Indoors, the palette features microcement on the ground floor, natural parquet above, chestnut wood for built-ins, exposed ceramic vaults on the ceilings, and bathrooms finished with glazed tiles. SIGLA Studio treats light as another structuring element. The house receives sun from morning to late afternoon, and the occupants remain constantly aware of its movement, seasonal changes, shifting shadows, and fluctuating intensities. 

this single-family home treats time as material and method

conceived for a young couple with two children

the project offers generous light and direct outdoor connection

the house can evolve with changing family life

built almost entirely within the limits of a narrow, deep plot

the house forms a protective brick perimeter around two inner patios

the organizational strategy gives the family privacy, cross-ventilation, and a measured relationship to daylight

the idea of designing for permanence guided the studio from the outset

SIGLA Studio established the ground floor as a near-complete footprint

the ground floor can become the main sleeping area

the home can invert this configuration as the family grows older

the strategy echoes references such as Alvar Aalto’s Muuratsalo house

the two large rooms can be divided into four

project info:

name: Patio House

architect: SIGLA Studio | @s1gla

location: Cardedeu, Spain

art direction: Mariela Achón

photographer: Marta Vidal | @_martavidal

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El Departamento collaborates with Bershka on its new concept store in San Sebastián based on the idea of ‘Uchi–Etxe,’ a meeting point between Japanese domestic aesthetics (uchi) and the traditional Basque house (etxe). The project reinterprets the brand’s identity through a domestic, contemporary spatial framework that aligns with the city’s layered and cosmopolitan character.

Located at 3 Fuenterrabia Street, the store reorganizes an existing site into a permeable retail environment defined by large windows that enhance the relationship between interior and exterior. Referencing the typology of the Basque farmhouse, circulation is structured as a sequence of interconnected rooms without corridors, creating a layout based on spatial continuity. The fitting rooms draw from the typology of the teenage bedroom, reflecting a space commonly associated with early personal expression.

all images courtesy of Bershka

Music-Infused Interiors define San Sebastián concept Retail Space

Music operates as a central theme throughout the store. Visitors move through distinct areas, including an entrance hall with ‘gold records,’ a recording studio, a hi-fi room, and a BSK zone, each incorporating visual and spatial cues related to music culture, a consistent reference in Bershka’s brand language. Materials, vinyl details, and custom lighting contribute to this thematic framework.

For the ground floor, the design team at El Departamento employs light-toned materials to establish a bright environment, while the lower level, dedicated to menswear, adopts a more immersive atmosphere. Modular and adaptable furniture supports flexible merchandising and underscores the relationship between local references and global design influences. Throughout the project, traditional motifs and contemporary elements are placed in dialogue. The new San Sebastián store presents a retail environment where design, music, and cultural context converge. The project reflects an approach to retail architecture that merges local identity with an international outlook.

the store’s design bridges Japanese ‘uchi’ and Basque ‘etxe’ domestic traditions

a contemporary spatial concept redefines Bershka’s identity in San Sebastián

circulation unfolds through interconnected rooms inspired by Basque farmhouse layouts

a corridor-free plan enhances spatial continuity throughout the store

music culture shapes the narrative of the store’s interior experience

a dedicated hi-fi room reinforces the store’s sonic identity

large windows create a permeable retail environment connected to the street

fitting rooms reinterpret the atmosphere of a teenage bedroom

vinyl details and graphic elements introduce subtle musical references

custom lighting highlights textures, materials, and spatial contrasts

modular furniture allows flexible arrangements and adaptable merchandising

the project positions the store as a meeting point for design, music, and community

the new flagship reflects a retail strategy rooted in both local identity and international perspective

project info:

name: ‘Uchi-Etxe’ Bershka San Sebastián Flagship Store

architect: El Departamento | @eldepartamento.estudio

lead architects: Alberto Eltini & Marina Martín

client: Bershka | @bershka

location: 3 Fuenterrabia Street, San Sebastián, Spain

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In Barcelona’s Eixample district, interior designer Isern Serra has completed the first flagship store for RELLENO, a Madrid-born filled-pasta brand with a strong digital identity. The project translates the Spanish brand’s concept into architecture through a physical vocabulary of texture and reflective materials.

The design is anchored by a system of soft modules — foam-filled cushions wrapped in sustainable metallic Italian fabric — referred to as ‘rellenos,’ the Spanish word for ‘fillings.’ These elements line the space in a geometric grid, shaping an interior that is both tactile and immersive. Each piece reflects the product’s essence: the act of filling, of enclosing something within.

images © David Zarzoso

glowing interior design by isern serra

For RELLENO, which built its reputation on delivery and digital presence, the Barcelona flagship by Isern Serra marks a shift from virtual engagement to physical experience. Serra’s approach was to express the brand’s sophisticated and design-focused tone through a controlled palette.

The metallic fabric of the ‘rellenos’ glimmers under soft, adjustable lighting, producing a subtle dialogue between surface and glow. Stainless steel counters, mirror-clad pillars, and orange reflections reinforce a sense of precision and care. The neutral framework allows the brand’s packaging and pasta to emerge visually, mirroring the way fashion houses frame their garments within spare, luminous spaces.

RELLENO opens its first Barcelona flagship with a design-minded identity

a grid of metallic poufs

Across two levels of Relleno Barcelona, Isern Serra’s layout balances automated efficiency and human contact. The ground floor opens to a five-meter ceiling, with digital kiosks on one side and a stainless steel counter on the other, attended by staff. Above, an Inox lamp by MLK Furniture hangs like a suspended marker within the vertical volume.

Deeper inside, the ceiling drops to three meters, enveloping visitors in the ‘relleno’ grid. Seating poufs and a dispenser wall — each composed of the same metallic fabric — extend the visual language of filling into functional forms. The numbered slots for pickup integrate technology and craft, presenting the product as both designed object and meal.

Isern Serra builds the space around soft modular ‘rellenos’

reflective surfaces lend color-changing interiors

Lighting defines the store’s atmosphere as much as its materials. Neutral bases are illuminated by the reflective quality of the fabric and by RGB fixtures that flood the space primarily in orange, the brand’s signature color. At certain moments, the lightbox shifts hue, adapting to collaborations or events and amplifying the chromatic identity.

Upstairs, a custom sofa wraps the perimeter, its metallic surface mirroring the ceiling grid above. Circular stainless steel tables and stools, also by MLK Furniture, punctuate the room. A mirrored wall and a stainless-clad central pillar multiply the reflections, creating a sense of continuity between materials, light, and motion.

the design translates the brand’s filled-pasta concept into a design language

the upper level expands the metallic grid through custom seating and stainless steel furniture

immersive lighting in shifting colors creates an ever-changing atmosphere

a lowered ceiling wrapped in metallic poufs creates an intimate space

details include stainless steel counters and reflective surfaces

project info:

name: Relleno | @relleno.eu

interior design: Isern Serra | @isernserra

location: Barcelona, Spain

team leader: Aran Escudero

graphics: Omni | @omnidesign

completion: June 2025

photography: © David Zarzoso | @david_zarzoso

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COR Architecture + Design has finalized the Sax Music Hall in Sax, Spain, completing a long-stalled cultural complex. Construction of a cultural complex began in 2008, intended to include a library, an auditorium, chamber music rooms, a music school, and a conference hall across more than 3,000 sqm and four levels. Work was halted during the economic crisis, leaving the structure enclosed but unfinished. Limited adaptations allowed occasional use of portions of the building, but the project remained incomplete for nearly two decades.

In 2025, funding from the Alicante Provincial Council enabled the completion of the auditorium. COR Architecture + Design approached the intervention with the aim of transforming the long-unfinished structure into a functional cultural facility for the municipality. The design focuses on restoring operational purpose to the building while acknowledging its role in the town’s collective memory.

all images by Milena Villalba

Bright Pink Interior anchors Renewed Sax Acoustic Music Hall

The completed auditorium is conceived as a flexible hall with acoustics calibrated to support a range of programming, including symphonic music, smaller ensemble performances, theater, and spoken word. An adjustable acoustic shell allows the interior environment to adapt to varying sound requirements, supporting its use as a multipurpose venue within the broader cultural complex. The spatial strategy positions the hall as a central civic space that supports rehearsals, training, community gatherings, and cultural programming. The design emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity to accommodate diverse users and activities.

A distinctive feature of the project is its use of a bright pink interior finish, which serves to visually redefine the previously unfinished building. This color strategy establishes a contemporary identity for the complex and reinforces its role as an active public space rather than a remnant of halted construction. The completed Sax Music Hall by COR Architecture + Design Studio functions as a key piece of local infrastructure, contributing to cultural activity, educational initiatives, and community engagement within the town.

Sax Music Hall completed by COR Architecture + Design

flexible auditorium designed to support a wide range of performances

acoustic shell adjusted to accommodate different sound requirements

the auditorium’s contemporary interior finish in dim light

bright pink interior defining the hall’s new visual identity

the long-stalled cultural complex is revived after two decades

interior layout supporting theater, music, and spoken-word programming

the auditorium is utilized for music concerts, rehearsals, and community gatherings

cultural facility supports local education and training activities

accessibility features are integrated throughout the cultural complex

the multipurpose hall is positioned as a central civic space

color strategy transforms the perception of the formerly unfinished building

project info:

name: Sax Music Hall
architect: COR Architecture + Design | @cor_architecture_design

location: Sax, Alicante, Spain

client: Sax City Council + Alicante Provincial Council

photographer: Milena Villalba | @milena_archphoto

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post bright pink interior revitalizes adaptive acoustic music hall for sax’s cultural complex in spain appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.