Morph Estudio

In a decade, Morph Arquitectos has risen to the Olympus of architecture. Theirs is an innovative vision that has not gone unnoticed beyond our borders, as evidenced by their inclusion in the prestigious WA100 list, a ranking that each year includes the world's leading studios.

Morph Estudio, innovation in architecture

Morph Estudio is supported by a multidisciplinary team led by architects César Frías, Miguel Pradillo and Raquel Dueñas. Its origins date back to 2014, when the first two decided to undertake the creation of an architectural studio that already has extensive experience in the development of unique building projects.

César began his professional career in the office of the architect José María Yustas and, after that initial stage, he joined the office of Rafael Pradillo, Miguel's father. At the same time, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to found the company Suma de Arquitectura e Ingeniería together with his brothers Diego and Ignacio and his friend Javier Belloso.

The merger of César Frías and Miguel Pradillo's studio with Suma Arquitectura e Ingeniería gave rise to Morph, whose name is inspired by a Greek word meaning "shape". And with innovation as its banner, it has become a benchmark that stands out for its creativity inspired by the environment and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Currently, the team is made up of more than 130 technicians including architects, landscape architects, decorators, engineers and quantity surveyors. And the studio has different departments dedicated to sustainability, interior design and research and development (R&D).

Its headquarters are located at 34 O'Donnell Street in Madrid, in a building designed in 1964 by the legendary Antonio Lamela Martínez, one of the most influential Spanish architects of the second half of the 20th century, whose works include the capital's emblematic Torres de Colón, the extension and remodelling of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and the T4 terminal at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.

BIM technology

One of Morph's hallmarks is the use of technology. A commitment that dates back to the end of the 1990s, when Miguel Pradillo began working in his father's studio.

An example of a generational handover, Miguel coincided with professionals who still used traditional means such as boards, paralex rulers and tracing paper to carry out their work. But he was already becoming familiar with tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) technology.

With the new century, he decided to change the original generic software that he implemented in Rafael Pradillo's studio for another one specifically for architecture. It was the embryo of what is known today as BIM technology, of which Morph was a pioneer in its use in Spain.

Acronym for Building Information Modelling, BIM technology is a collaborative design software that facilitates the management of engineering, architecture and construction projects. Among others, BIM technology provides the following advantages:

1. Creation of intelligent data that can be used throughout the life cycle of a project: planning, design, construction and operation.
2. Optimisation of data and access to project information.
3. Greater collaboration and communication between the teams involved in the development of a project.
4. Improved visibility of projects for on-time delivery.
5. Detecting problems in advance.
6. Determination of the energy impact of the materials to be used in a project, thus facilitating the creation of efficient and sustainable buildings.
7. More effective cost estimation.
8. Increased use of prefabrication and modular construction technology.
9. Increased safety during the implementation phase.
10. Efficient management of a building after the completion of a project.

A good example of the importance of BIM technology is that its use is a mandatory requirement in many administrations in public procurement for the design, construction, maintenance and management of buildings and infrastructures.

Morph Estudio's projects and publications

Although the studio already has extensive experience in the development of residential buildings, its work is not limited to this market. It also covers everything from student residences to offices and health centres. Among the numerous projects it has developed, these are some of the most outstanding:

Residential:

• Residential area Estrellas de Valdebebas. Valdebebas, Madrid. 2010-2012.
• Residential area Prado Pozuelo. Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid. 2012-2018.
• Residential area Bulevar de Sanchinarro. Madrid. 2014-2016.
• Residential area Isla Alborán. Valdebebas, Madrid. 2014-2017.
• Residential Terrazas del Lago. Valdebebas, Madrid. 2015-2018.
• Residencial Los Molinos. Getafe, Madrid. 2016-2018.
• Isla de la Toja Residential Complex. San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid. 2016-2020.
• Residencial Oasis. Seville. 2016-2020.
• Islas Estelas Residential Complex. Madrid. 2016-2020.
• Zafiro residential development. Valdebebas, Madrid. 2016-2020.
• Bosque de Atocha Residential Complex. Madrid. 2017-2020.
• Residencial The Town. Boadilla del Monte, Madrid. 2017-2020.
• Fineo Residential Complex. San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid. 2017-2020.
• Residencial Melbourne. Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Madrid. 2017-2021.
• Residential and sports complex Mijas Green. Mijas, Málaga. 2017-2024.
• Beams Residential Complex. Madrid. 2018.
• Ikarus Towers. Torrevieja, Alicante. 2018-2021.
• Becrux Residential Complex. Madrid. 2019-2020.
• Residencial Valdebebas 125. Valdebebas, Madrid. 2019-2022.
• Zaurak Residential Complex. Madrid. 2019-2022.

Student residences:

• Syllâbus Moncloa Student Residence. Madrid. 2017-2020.
• Syllâbus Málaga Centro Student Residence. Malaga. 2017-2020.
• Syllâbus Valencia Alboraya Student Residence. Alboraya, Valencia. 2017-2020.
• HUB student residence. Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Madrid. 2017-2021.
• Syllâbus Plaza Student Residence. Salamanca. 2018-2020.
• Syllâbus Atocha Río Student Residence. Madrid. 2018-2021.
• La Platina Student Residence. Salamanca. 2018-2021.

Office buildings:

• Office building (in project). Geneva (Switzerland). 2016.

Health centres:

• Montecelo Hospital (in project). Pontevedra. 2017.
• Traces Health Centre (in project). Gandía. 2017.

Wineries:

• Lozano Winery. Villarrobledo, Alicante. 2017-2019.

Without a doubt, Morph Estudio's projects generate very positive feedback. So much so that the Bosque de Atocha residential building in Madrid was recognised as Best Architectural Design Project at the prestigious Outstanding Property Awards London (OPAL) in 2021.

His passion for architecture and urban planning has also resulted in a series of publications:

• In the case of For Rent, it is dedicated to rental architecture. And among other contents, it includes tips to take into account when creating a building to rent.
• Towers XXL reflects the studio's fascination with giant buildings, such as the Ikarus tower complex in Torrevieja.
• Finally, Madrid 2.0 is a summary of the most relevant aspects of the General Urban Development Plan of the capital.

Projects with Kronos Homes

True to its desire to collaborate with the best architectural studios, Kronos Homes entrusted one of its first projects to Morph. We are referring to Eden, in Mijas, a complex of detached villas with private gardens, located by the sea, characterised by its integration into the landscape and the quality of Kronos' residential work.

In terms of design, the studio's innovative concept has taken the form of avant-garde Mediterranean architecture which, as could not be otherwise on the Costa del Sol, is combined with interiors where luminosity takes precedence. All this without forgetting sustainability and respect for the environment, as the complex preserves the native vegetation and the original orography.

Similarly, in the development of Eden, special attention has been paid to the communal areas. In this way, residents have the opportunity to enjoy wellness and fitness areas, as well as a spectacular swimming pool.

Thanks to the success of this first project, the collaboration between Kronos Homes and Morph has given rise to two more projects, very different from each other. The first is Distrikt, a large high-rise residential complex in the Parque das Nações area of Lisbon. Its views over the Tagus estuary, its extraordinary design and its communal areas have made it the ultimate exponent of Lisbon's modernity in this new area of the city. The second project is Krest, an exclusive low-density residential development of single-family homes located in Torrelodones. Its marvellous natural surroundings, its geological inspiration for the volumetry and its careful landscaping make this residential development a landmark among the premium residential developments in the Madrid mountains.

In short, Morph's projects for Kronos Homes are yet another example of the good work of the multidisciplinary team led by César Frías, Miguel Pradillo and Raquel Dueñas. A studio that, despite its youth, is already considered one of the most prestigious on the international scene.