Designs, Muy Bien!

Fernando Menis, Architect Director, Menis Arquitectos, is a world-renowned Spanish architect whose designs break all norms. We learn from him the trends in this industry and how he is able to conceive and execute such monumental buildings.

- Anupriya Bishnoi

Tell us about the hospitality projects you have worked on.

I live in the Canary Islands, a tourist destination that has not stopped growing for 40 years and is a true European tourism power. So, it is only natural that most of the buildings I have made here be related to tourism. Some of these buildings are 11 Holiday Homes, Golf del Sur; Magma Arte & Congresos; Puerto de la Cruz Waterfront; Santa Cruz de la Palma Waterfront; Botanical Garden El Drago in Icod de loa Vinos; Botanical Garden Puerto de la Cruz in La Orotava; Botanical Garden El Descubrimiento in La Gomera; and the seawater pool, El Guincho. We have also built residential buildings in Tenerife, most of which are now used for holiday rentals.

Is your style conformist or non-conformist?

Non-conformist, for sure. I am always looking for something special that brings value to all stakeholders of the scheme- the client, users, local community, and the site itself

Modern or cultural, which has been a more definite influence in your work?

Whenever we start a new project, I try to first understand the client and then the place. I observe what the place looks like, the air, the landscape, the nature, the buildings, the shapes, the colours, how the people look, what they do for a living, what they did traditionally, and how their food is- its textures and tastes. I am naturally very curious and this is evident in my way of approaching the project. I also feel responsible for what I give in exchange, what I should produce in that particular place for those people. I try to mix reason with emotion in all my projects.

How much of your architectural design is a representation of where you’re from?