Alberto Martínez – – Valencia, Spain
Seat Modular Cube Concept, Identity Dental Clinic, Urbatek Showroom, L’Antic Colonial showroom, Bimini…
1- Who is Alberto Martínez?
Alberto Martínez is father of Alberto Martínez, son of Alberto Martínez, and grandson of Alberto Martínez.
And as founding member of CuldeSac™ and Creative Director of Spaces, Alberto develops a personal work and research methodology in the fields of architecture and interior design, which aims to create memorable projects from new experiential vectors.
2 – When did you discover that you wanted to work in design?
I did not discover it, I seeked it, and here we are.
3 – A reference in design…
I would have to Google it… but it could be Luis Montero, Ferrán Adrià, or Anatxu Zabalbeascoa.
4 – If you had not been a designer, you would have been…
Architecture: same old, same old.
5 – One defect and one virtue.
Only one? I don’t know how to read.
And a virtue, creativity at the service of strategy.
6 – What is your house like?
Homely and lived-in.
7 – Sunday is a day for…
Paella and a chat… great day!
8 – A place to look for inspiration.
Any place is good; you just need to know how to enjoy it.
9 – What is the last book that you have read?
I don’t read, I watch documentaries; the last one: Five Days to Dance, nominated for the San Sebastián Film Festival awards and directed by a childhood friend of mine, Rafa Molés.
10 – 15 Years from now…
I would love to answer this same interview again and enjoy myself looking for the seven differences.
11 – When you think of design you think of…
Lifestyle, friends, and freedom.
12 – Pencil or computer?
Ebony wood pencil, 0.7 limited edition; it was a gift from my coworkers for my 38th birthday.
13 – How would you describe your work?
I would define it as experiential design, breaking the barriers of perception laws and influenced by Mediterranean culture, always with the key principle of turning that work into a lifestyle.
14 – One project you would like to do.
The inside of a ship, in order to learn, and improve interpersonal relations in small and necessarily functional spaces.
15 – Your opinion of Spanish design.
Ingenious and fresh.
16 – How do you keep your own style while meeting your customers’ needs?
Making the client the key ingredient in order to build it.
17 – In your work, what are you better at and what do you have more trouble with?
Expressing ideas on an A3 is what I am best at, and what I have more trouble with is talking about money, but over the years you get smarter.
18 – Your recipe for success.
Listen, share, and never stop learning.
19 – What is the role of natural products in your projects?
No more than what is required at each moment, but working with them is certainly a luxury.
20 – Your flagship L’Antic Colonial product is…
Mauricio Inglada; everything else comes naturally.