“In the elder days of Art, builders wrought with greatest care, each minute and unseen parts, for gods are everywhere.” – Henry W. Longfellow
The first evidence of any human presence in Córdoba came from the remains of a Neanderthal Man, dated at around 45000 BC. However, it was no surprise since the region is geographically at the hub of prehistoric human migration corridors of Africa to Southern Europe, which later allowed the Romans to settle the first recorded colony in Córdoba, circa 206 BC. Since then, Córdoba has seen first hand, as history unfolded, wars waged and settlements burned and erected from the ashes of their predecessors. Starting with the Romans, in subsequent centuries, Córdoba was subjected to conquests from Muslims (also known as Moorish by Christian crusaders, from which Moorish architecture derived, the dominant architectural style of Córdoba), starting around 700 AD and later by Christian Crusaders in 1236 AD. All the while, Córdoba grew, and its heritage richened. Today, Córdoba stands at a pedestal where it is the only city in the world with four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This fact in itself brings an unprecedented responsibility and cultural weight upon the architects, builders, and authorities in Córdoba to justify building the present structures respecting the cultures of the past.
Re-thinking The Future is a global platform for architecture and design. RTF, along with our author(s), has curated a list of top architecture firms in various cities across the globe. Please note that the names are arranged in alphabetical order and not ranked in any manner.
Adatres Arquitectos y Construcción
Scope of services: Architecture, Construction, Interior
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Housing Reforms, Warehouses
Locations of Built Projects: Many Spanish provinces, including Barcelona, Toledo, Guadalajara, Madrid, Córdoba or Málaga
Style of work: Contemporary architecture
Website: www.adatres.com
AAC has a unique hierarchical structure since it is a collective, rather than a firm, of individual freelance architects that promote and sell their prototypical products, i.e. modular housing units amongst others, to potential clients. Tailoring each pre-planned unit to the needs and requirements of the customer is where the majority of their work lies. Since they are an all-inclusive service provider, from feasibility to work permits and even finding the land, their clientele is people looking for a hassle-free and reasonable way to own a house.
Castello Arquitectura
Scope of services: Architecture, Planning
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Hospitality, Office Spaces, Rehabilitation
Locations of Built Projects: Primarily working in Córdoba, they also take projects in other Spanish cities and towns, like Benahavis, Málaga
Style of work: Modern architecture
Website: www.castelloarquitectura.com
Serving for more than half a century to distinguished clients, Castello Arquitectura, established in the 1960s amidst the modern movement and is amongst the early pioneers of the age. Since then, they have evolved constantly to align their goals and philosophies with the changing trends and design movements. As a result, Castello Arquitectura has a diversified portfolio of works, with varied styles and experimental design philosophies, the primary reason to have a very distinguished clientele.
Diseñador de interiores comerciales | Be Spaces
Scope of services: Interior Design, Visual Merchandising, Graphic Design, Space Reforms
Types of Built Projects: Commercial, Retail
Locations of Built Projects: Be Spaces finds pride in their city capital of Córdoba. Hence, to reflect that belief, they mostly take projects based in and around Córdoba
Style of work: Minimalistic architecture and design
Website: www.be-spaces.com
Certainly one of the more unique design firms in Córdoba, Be Spaces, is an interior design and brand reform studio located in the heart of Córdoba with a very distinguished and varied portfolio. They certainly love to touch every aspect of the design process, thus undertaking almost unparalleled responsibility and authority over the design choices. Clean lines, chromatic and sometimes even bold monochromatic colour palettes define the design ideology of Be Spaces which is evident in the design choices they make – from interior space to venue designs and even merchandising.
Estudio de Arquitectura Joaquín Caro
Scope of services: Architecture, Urban Design
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Administrative, Institutional
Locations of Built Projects: Majorly built-in Córdoba, but a few projects in Seville, Vistahermosa, Huelva and a few other Spanish cities and towns
Style of work: Modern architecture
Website: www.joaquincaro.es
Monolithic volumes and contemporary materiality drive the design philosophy of JCAU. Their buildings are built like picturesque scenery with the backdrop of an ever-changing sky.
Estudio García de Viguera S L
Scope of services: Town Planning, Architecture, Engineering
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Industrial, Planning, Hospitality
Locations of Built Projects: Many Spanish provinces, including Madrid, Córdoba and Sevilla, to name a few
Style of work: Contemporary modern architecture
Website: https://garciadeviguera.es
With a prime focus on energy-efficient designs, Estudio García de Viguera S L boasts a varied portfolio of work, working with all building typologies while making context and energy conscious designs. They also undertake international engineering projects like roads and bridge-building.
Guerrero Revuelta Asociados S L P
Scope of services: Planning, Architecture, Interior, Marketing
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Commercial, Planning
Locations of Built Projects: Many Spanish provinces, including Madrid, Córdoba and Sevilla, to name a few
Style of work: Contextual design
Website: guerrerorevueltaarquitectos.com
Guerrero Revuelta Asociados showcases compelling contextual designs with their elaborative portfolio spanning from gas station designs to private villas and even industrial town-planning, all with their unique design approaches. They also actively participate in national and international design competitions, thus displaying strong conceptual philosophies.
Ingeniería y Arquitectura
Scope of services: Technical Consulting and certifications, Commercial Assessments
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Rehabilitation, Commercial
Locations of Built Projects: Mostly in the Spanish province of Córdoba
Style of work: Contextual and contemporary architecture
Website: ictino.com
A relatively young firm, Ingenieria y Arquitectura, is a commercial collective of highly technical engineers and architects that provide the best in class feasibility assessments and certifications for newly built or rehabilitated spaces. They also undertake various installations and retrofit projects across Spanish provinces and abroad. Currently, they are working on developing a prototype for a new type of housing unit.
LAP Arquitectos | Lugar, arquitectura y paisaje
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior design, Landscape, Town Planning
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Educational, Town planning, Restoration
Locations of Built Projects: LAP provides its services in the autonomous community of Andalusia, South of Spain. Which includes several towns and cities, including Córdoba
Style of work: Sustainable design
Website: www.lap-arquitectos.com
Working with an active BREEAM Certification of Sustainable Construction, LAP is conscious of the impact built spaces have on the environment. This philosophy has enabled LAP to become multi-faceted for the design and construction requirements of the client while consciously designing sustainable buildings and other built environments. From housing development to landscape and even rehabilitation and real estate risk analysis, LAP takes care of everything with diverse in-house teams.
Manuel López Arquitectura y Urbanismo
Scope of services: Architecture, Interior, Project Management, Town Planning
Types of Built Projects: Residential, Rehabilitation, Office spaces, Landscape
Locations of Built Projects: Mostly in the Spanish province of Córdoba
Style of work: Modern architecture
Website: mlopezarquitectura.com
Designers at Manuel López Arquitectura y Urbanismo are pioneers of a design ideology that vocalize monochromatic and volumetric designs. Dominated by white and shades of grey while creating complex volumes that make for inviting spaces, is a signature style dominating the works of MLA across Córdoba.
Plan 9
Scope of services: Architecture, Visualization, Project Management
Types of Built Projects: Commercial, Retail, Office Spaces, Residential, Institutional
Locations of Built Projects: Being a distinguished international firm, they take projects across Spanish provinces and abroad, including Mexico and other parts of Europe
Style of work: Modern architecture
Website: www.plan9sl.net
With most residential projects with post-neo modern design philosophy, Plan9 finds an equal pride in executing retail projects in the bustling city centre of Spanish cities with classical Spanish designs. It can be rightfully supposed that Plan9 is versatile in its approach and creative in its execution.
