Build Magazine December 2015

Build Magazine 65 60 Seconds What services do your company provide? OPTA ARQUITECTOS is an architecture prac- tice based in Madrid (Spain) with international projects in places such as Namibia, Saudi Arabia or Peru. Its work embraces different scales and types, from large singular projects to highly detailed interventions Who are your clients? We have both private and public clients. Most of our Infrastructure projects are commis- sioned by public authorities through public tenders, whether as Retail, Residential and Of- fice projects are usually supported by private companies or investors. What makes your firm different to your com- petitors? There are three aspects to our firm which are unique in our market: - We strongly believe that the character of a site, a program and a client sets a new encouraging starting point to each project. Therefore, for us, every project is unique, tailor made and sustainable. - We have a very strong expertise in Public Service Architecture (Transport, Retail & Mixed use) with a broad experience both in design and in site supervision. - We have very highly qualified and talented professionals, who always work as a team in one same direc- tion. Quality in design and site works execution is a must at OPTA. What’s the challenge facing your firm in the current market? We are currently developing an important Cultural & Tourism Centre in Namibia which is being a great challenge. Local conditions are crucial in this project. Our design aims to offer a world class product but attending to very specific local needs and construction systems. Working globally and locally at the same time is a true challenge. Have you got any future aims for your business? Our aim is to keep growing and develop- ing interesting projects, but without losing the passion and dedication for each one of them. We also want to preserve our flexibility and humble approach to design. We do not want to become vain and hard like some “starchitects”. We don’t believe in that kind of approach to architecture. What’s your company’s biggest challenge at the moment? Preserve the quality of our services in a very competitive sector which is becoming increasingly more and more global. Clients sometimes don’t see or understand the advantages of assuring that quality in design until they see their project built. Good architectural design is an asset. Who do you admire most and why? We admire the masters of the history of architecture that have taught us how to go one step further. Revisiting their master pieces is always a true lesson of talent. Architecture is made of both solid and intangible matter. When both combine perfectly, beauty arises. Name: Juan Ramirez Company: OPTA ARQUITECTOS SLP Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.optaarquitectos.com Address: Avda. Filipinas 26 Planta 2º. 28003 Madrid - SPAIN Telephone: +349163413999