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Alba de la Fuente | Architect & Visual Artist

Onur Çoban

Temple Narratives, Photo Courtesy: Alba de la Fuente

Madrid-based architect and visual artist Alba de la Fuente visualises the essence of space through sensory design, gently touching the poetic depth of architectural environments through textures, materials, light, shadows and perspectives. Through an experimental approach to architecture in the form of digital art installations, Alba de la Fuente aims to emphasise the interconnection of the two fields. We had a conversation with Alba about her work and production practice.

Interview: Onur Çoban


Who is Alba de la Fuente? Can you briefly tell us about yourself?


I’m an architect and visual artist from Madrid with a passion for merging architectural narratives and digital design. My work is rooted in creating spaces that blur the boundaries between form, light, and experience, whether through physical structures or digital explorations. I’m fascinated by how architecture can evoke emotion and challenge perception, constantly seeking ways to integrate innovative design approaches into everyday spaces.


Your artistic journey has taken you to different cultural and architectural landscapes, from the bustling metropolis of London to the vibrant streets of Barcelona. How have these different cultures influenced your art and design approach?


My approach is deeply rooted in architectural modernism, which prioritizes proportion, balance, and the interplay of light and shadow. Beyond architecture, I draw heavily from the principles of composition, color contrast, and spatial depth. These artistic foundations help me create designs that are both structured and fluid, blending architectural rigor with an artistic sensibility. This combination allows me to reinterpret traditional architectural elements through a contemporary lens, crafting spaces that resonate emotionally while maintaining a strong conceptual framework.


Heliophilia


How do you balance these two worlds when combining digital design and physical architecture?


The relationship between digital and physical design is fluid in my process. Digital design offers limitless freedom, allowing me to test and refine concepts without the constraints of physical materials. It’s where I experiment, manipulate space, light, and form until the vision is clear. Then, translating these ideas into the physical world becomes a challenge of materiality, scale, and human interaction.


 

"The key is ensuring the conceptual fluidity of the digital translates into a tactile, experiential reality, creating spaces that are both innovative and inviting."

 

Digital Explorations


You have worked and collaborated with artists such as Ricardo Bofill, Andres Reisinger, Sabine Marcelis, Tom Dixon, and Charlotte Taylor. How does collaborating with different artists and architects affect your creativity?


Collaboration is integral to my creative evolution. Working with visionary minds,whether architects, designers or artists,sparks new ideas and challenges my approach to space and form. Each partnership introduces unique perspectives, often pushing me out of my comfort zone and leading to unexpected results. This collaborative energy helps refine my vision, encouraging me to push beyond conventional limits and explore new interpretations of spatial design. I find that the exchange of ideas in these partnerships keeps my creativity constantly evolving.


Which of your works has excited you the most in terms of the design process and the final product?


Personal projects are where I find the most excitement, as they allow me to push my creative boundaries without predefined limits. These projects give me the freedom to experiment with the convergence of digital and physical elements, exploring ideas that may not fit into conventional frameworks. These explorations are a testing ground for new ideas, often informing my professional collaborations.


The ORB - in collaboration with Tom Dixon


Can you tell us a little about the sources of inspiration behind your work? Who are the names you follow with curiosity in this field or in different disciplines? 


My inspiration comes from a fusion of architecture and art, where light, shadow, and composition shape emotional experiences. Modernist architecture, with its focus on clarity and simplicity, is central to my approach. Nature, with its organic forms and textures, influences my designs by adding depth. Tadao Ando’s integration of light and minimalist design informs my spatial thinking, while Olafur Eliasson and James Turrell’s innovative use of light as a material inspires me to transform spaces through light and perception. I also draw from Georgia O’Keeffe’s abstract, organic forms, which encourage me to blend art and architecture in ways that engage both physically and emotionally.


Are you excited for the future? What are your plans?  


Absolutely. The future is an open canvas, and I’m eager to explore how emerging technologies can further merge digital and physical design. My focus is on expanding my conceptual projects, turning them into real-world installations that challenge how we perceive and interact with spaces. I’m also excited about collaborating across disciplines, blending architecture, technology, and art to create environments that are not only functional but also thought provoking. 


Winter House - in collaboration with Andrés Reisinger

Elemental House - in collab with Solid Nature and Decohub

Elemental House - in collaboration with Solid Nature and Decohub

Redondo Brand

Chandeliers Narratives

The Residency in Joshua Tree - in collaboration with Charlotte Taylor

Massimo Dutti - Pride

BASILI EDİSYONLARI KEŞFEDİN

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