“MORE THAN 30 years of experience and more than 20 specialized in sports architecture.”
Fenwick Iribarren Architects, founded in 1990 by architects Mark Fenwick and Javier Iribarren, has become one of Spain’s largest architecture firms.
Based in Madrid, Spain, the office has received significant international and national recognition in a great variety of significant projects, in many different typologies. In Spain many of the projects developed have been awarded architectural excellence prizes, such as Helios, Loreal, and Caleido in offices and multiuse development, and Espanyol and Valencia stadiums in sports architecture. Their international trajectory has been rewarded numerous times for sustainable architecture, especially in the stadiums for the World Cup 2022, with ground breaking 974 stadium as first dismountable stadium in the world.
The office looks to implementing the concepts of Blue & Green Architecture, concepts which have been developed in the studio and which are applied to all their projects. They are known for their commitment to environmental adaptation, sustainability for the planet, and user well-being, which is sustainability for people.
Fenwick Iribarren Architects stands out for its long trajectory, experience, and dedication. Thanks to their professionalism, clients they’ve worked with have consistently returned for their services on other projects.
Fenwick Iribarren Architects prioritizes important concepts such as environmental impact and sustainability in each of their projects.
Promoters and clients increasingly seek solutions where environmental respect is an essential part of their corporate policy. Fenwick Iribarren Architects applies sustainable procedures in their buildings, providing real-life savings benefits throughout a building’s lifespan.
Fenwick Iribarren Architects has many certifications for offices such as LEED Platinum and LEED Gold, Well, and Bream Gold in their buildings in Spain, and also QSAS Gold levels for their stadiums in Qatar.
Fenwick Iribarren Architects is the one of the very few architectural offices in Spain specializing in landscape architecture. The studio places significant importance on the surrounding spaces, not just the building itself.
Fenwick Iribarren Architects has completed important projects such as the planning and outdoor areas of Telefonica City in Madrid, the design of squares in Alcalá de Henares and Aranjuez, and recently, the New Caleido Park in Madrid, and internationally the new 7km long Khalifa Avenue in Doha, Qatar, and a recently finished Savski Square in Belgrade.
The interior design team creates unique and enriching interior spaces that support the exterior architecture of our buildings. Interior Design is a strong field where we look to create special places for people to use in the buildings. This is achieved through intelligent planning, creative problem-solving.
Fenwick Iribarren Architects are always looking to the latest interior design excellence, and also brings innovative use of materials and technology to the buildings. Care is also taken to cultural and human aspects, and adapts to the different requirements of a number of countries. The essence is to develop truly functional spaces which are enjoyed by the building users.
Unlike most other architecture firms, Fenwick Iribarren Architects has a dedicated 3D department.
3D tools offer a powerful method of building analysis, covering the entire architectural development process. They serve both as an internal methodological procedure of the design process and enhances external communication of our ideas to clients, users, municipalities, etc., focusing on various aspects: morphological analysis, visual impact, and ambient definition.
To be in line with the highest level of research and development, Fenwick Iribarren Architects has created a department with use of Artificial Intelligence in order to assist the design process, creating images, and which is a true revolution to the traditional design process. IA also allows us to produce options and adjustments quickly.
Fenwick Iribarren Architects fully incorporates the BIM methodology into their design processes, from the initial idea to the construction phase. The project is conceived not as a series of disconnected documents but as a database that relates the building’s geometry and information. This provides greater control, better coordination with other disciplines, and the ability to evaluate all design aspects simultaneously, using the best tools to achieve optimal results.
Fenwick Iribarren Architects currently utilizes new tools for controlled and optimized design, such as for roof geometry, stadium grandstands, or optimal facade breakdowns, among other examples.
Parametric design has become a fundamental tool in contemporary architecture, thanks to the connected digital society and advancements in computer systems and design programs. The technology allows Fenwick Iribarren Architects to develop complex stadiums geometries, both on the facades (Education City stadium) and in the Bowl (using the F- factor unique to Fenwick Iribarren Architects)
Fenwick Iribarren Architects has a department of technical architects whose main missions include collaboration in drafting projects and project management for works when requested by the client. In the project phase, they have extensive experience in cost control, optimization of construction solutions, compliance with regulations, health and safety, quality control, waste management, and administrative procedures for obtaining licenses. In the construction phase, they also have ample experience in unique works, such as stadiums, office complexes, towers, and comprehensive building rehabilitations.
Fenwick Iribarren excels in the design, rehabilitation, and consultancy of sports stadiums, achieving the first Hat Trick in history of sports architecture during a World Cup.
They designed and executed three out of the eight stadiums for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a feat unmatched by any other architectural studio in a World Cup. Their expertise in sports architecture led to the creation of the most innovative stadium ever built for a World Cup – a demountable structure constructed with reusable transport containers, namely the b974 stadium. FIA also developed the first cooling system in an open-air stadium, the Education City stadium.
The authorship of two books for UEFA, the UEFA Guide to Quality Stadiums, and the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Guidelines have been very successful internationally.
The main philosophy of Fenwick Iribarren Architects is to create excellent buildings for their clients and unique and friendly buildings for the users.
Teamwork and constant, fluid communication with the client from the initial project phase define Fenwick Iribarren Architects’ work philosophy. The studio’s organizational structure is based on interdisciplinary and dynamic teams, with varying degrees of specialization and the capacity to perform different tasks simultaneously.
Design and quality are the priority objectives. Fenwick Iribarren Architects continuously seeks ways to combine good architecture with economically viable projects for their clients. In essence, Fenwick Iribarren Architects goal is to create the best buildings in terms of quality, timelines, and prices and to develop high-quality architecture in both execution and design.
