Joaquín Torres Vérez – A-cero Joaquín Torres arquitectura – Madrid/A Coruña/Valencia/Dubai
1 – Who is Joaquín Torres?
First and foremost, I am a person. And an architect.
2 – When did you discover that you wanted to be an architect?
I have always been very much in contact with the world of art thanks to my father, and was fascinated by it. At the age of 14 I started attending drawing classes. Little by little I began to become interested in the world of Architecture.
3 – A reference in architecture…
Always the great contemporary classics: Le Corbusier, Mies Van Der Rohe… and I greatly admire the work of Zaha Hadid.
4 – If you had not been architect, you would have been…
Always something related to art.
5 – One defect and one virtue. I am a bit anxious and obsessive about work.
These might be virtues as well.
6 – What is your house like?
Currently it is a single-family house designed by me, although it is from a development, reconfigured to my taste.
7 – Sunday is a day for…
It is a day to try and get some rest, and be with my family.
8 – A place to look for inspiration.
Any place, a city, an exhibition, a film at the movies… I greatly enjoy and get inspired by many things.
9 – What is the last book that you have read?
A Goddess for the King by Mari Pau Domínguez.
10 – 15 Years from now…
I hope I can go on working and growing professionally with Rafael Llamazares and our A-cero firm.
11 – When you think of architecture you think of…
My day to day is Architecture.
12 – Pencil or computer?
Pencil.
13 – How would you describe your work?
Coherent.
14 – One project you would like to do.
I’ve already stopped thinking about those things, each project is exciting.
15 – Your opinion of Spanish architecture.
There are excellent professionals in our country. We have made mistakes in the past few years and we have to reinvent ourselves in a certain way.
16 – How do you keep your own style while meeting your customers’ needs?
At A-cero we have our very own style, which is certainly evolving. And this is necessary. It’s true that you have to bring the client towards your style. But when a person seeks A-cero it’s because they already know our work, and that makes things easier from the start. In any case, we have learned to compromise and come to terms with the client more, who is the one that is going to enjoy and live our work.
17 – In architecture, what are you better at and what do you have more trouble with?
I think I’m good with client relations, although I don’t always like it. Communication, to which I allocate an important amount of time, is something which I believe to be fundamental for the firm’s growth. I find the construction world almost exasperating.
18 – Your recipe for success.
Work, work… and work.
19 – What is the role of natural products in your projects?
We are always committed to natural products. For their quality and durability.
20 – Your flagship L’Antic Colonial product is…
I suppose I should say that any product from the Spirit line. But I admire Porcelanosa Group for their commitment to good design.
