“MORE THAN 30 years of experience and more than 20 specialized in sports architecture.”
FIA was founded in 1990 by Mark Fenwick and Javier Iribarren and has grown to become one of Spain’s most influential architectural practices, with a strong international presence. In 2024, FIA becomes part of 10N Collective, the Architecture Line created by Egis, with Carlos Muriel as Managing Director strengthening its global reach and capacity to deliver complex, large-scale projects.
The practice is widely recognised for the genuine, measurable sustainability of its projects, the strong cultural identity embedded in its stadium designs, and for creating pioneering concepts that had never been developed before which have been awarded.
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.
FIA is a leading international practice specialising in the design, rehabilitation and consultancy of sports stadiums. The firm achieved an unprecedented Hat Trick by delivering three stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and is now on track for a second Hat Trick at the 2030 World Cup.
Among these projects are Education City Stadium, where FIA developed the World’s first cooling system for an open-air stadium, and Stadium 974, the first fully demountable stadium ever built for a FIFA World Cup, setting new global benchmarks for innovation and sustainability.
Through its extensive experience, FIA has earned the trust of leading football clubs and UEFA, contributing to internationally recognised sustainability and stadium infrastructure guidelines, and consistently delivering projects on time and within budget.
For FIA, the future of stadium design lies in “transformer stadiums”: venues that are flexible, adaptable and capable of evolving over time, responding to changing sporting, social and economic needs while remaining sustainable in the long term.
FIA believes that iconic and spectacular architecture can also be affordable.
The identity of local cultures and football clubs defines the starting point of all FIA projects, ensuring that each stadium is deeply rooted in its context while delivering the best possible user experience for players, fans and the wider community. The studio continuously works to enhance accessibility, comfort and year-round activation, transforming stadiums into inclusive, multi-purpose destinations.
FIA is defined by its collaborative, human-centred approach. The practice operates through interdisciplinary teams that engage seriously and responsibly with every phase of the design and delivery process. Beyond environmental performance, FIA is equally committed to economic sustainability, long-term legacy and community integration, ensuring that its stadiums remain valuable civic assets long after match day.
