Interview with Rafael de La-Hoz

Rafael de La-Hoz Castanys was born in Córdoba into a family deeply rooted in architecture. His grandfather, Rafael de La-Hoz Saldaña, founded the studio that bears the family name in 1920, and which Rafael now leads. From the very beginning, the studio RAFAEL DE LA-HOZ has played a key role in the evolution of modern architecture in Spain, standing out for its design innovation, technical approach, and early concern for environmental impact. In 1971, because of his expert knowledge and extensive professional career, Rafael de La-Hoz Arderius (1924–2000), who was then at the helm of the studio, spearheaded the creation of the Normas Técnicas de la Edificación (NTE), a set of technical building codes that became an essential tool for standardizing construction processes in Spain. This regulatory compendium covers all stages of the architectural process, from conception and design to execution and building maintenance. One of the studio’s most iconic projects was the Castelar building, designed in 1975 and constructed between 1977 and 1983. The 2010 renovation was led by Rafael de La-Hoz Castanys, who was already directing the firm at the time. He preserved the building’s uniqueness, especially its innovative glass façade suspended over pillars—now considered a landmark of modern architecture in Madrid. Today, under the leadership of Rafael de La-Hoz Castanys, the studio has developed a contemporary architectural language characterised by volumetric clarity, attention to sustainability, and expressive use of materials and light. Projects such as the Rey Juan Carlos Hospital in Móstoles, and the Repsol Campus showcase the studio’s ability to integrate functional efficiency, technological innovation, and symbolic value. Internationally, the studio has worked in diverse contexts—from Morocco to Colombia—on projects that address climate, identity and history. The transition from one generation to the next has not meant a repetition of aesthetics, but rather the continuation of a rigorous methodological approach: designing architecture that is both rational and poetic, capable of engaging in dialogue with the city, the landscape, and the human being.