Touza Arquitectos

In its almost half-century of experience, Touza Arquitectos has left its stamp of quality in the different fields of architecture. It is an example of a family studio committed to quality and respect for the environment. And a good example of its professionalism and the passion it puts into each commission is the number of projects it has undertaken: more than 2,000 since it was set up.

Trajectory of Touza Arquitectos

Its origins date back to 1975. That year, the Galician architect and urban planner Julio Touza Rodríguez, together with Enrique Nafarrate Mexía, one of the most notable Mexican architects, founded the studio that bears his surname. Today, Touza is made up of more than 50 professionals:

• Among them, more than 30 architects, who represent the main production core of the work being carried out.
• For their part, technical architects are responsible for the constructive development of projects.
• The work carried out by the interior designers and the production department should also be highlighted.

Touza Arquitectos has been particularly active in the field of residential architecture. More than 18,000 homes bear its signature, characterised by spatial and environmental quality, flexibility and durability. The studio also emphasises energy efficiency and savings in water consumption.

However, it is not limited to new residential projects. As mentioned, it deals with different fields of architecture. And it shines in one of the most complex: the renovation of historic buildings. To this end, it makes use of the latest techniques and the latest in heating, lighting and home automation.

It has also been in charge of designing offices for both multinational firms and medium-sized companies. In all cases, applying criteria of rationality and sustainability. So much so that some of the buildings have LEED certification for energy efficiency and sustainable design.

Its versatility has also been evident in numerous unique projects. An activity that began in 1979 with a centre for the profoundly physically handicapped and which ranges from installations for the high-speed train to pharmaceutical warehouses, including buildings in the wine sector, government headquarters and embassies, sports areas, etc.

In terms of interior design, Touza maintains that architecture is a whole. For this reason, from the outset he has been involved in designing both the container and the content in many of his projects. In the same way, the interiors department puts its creativity at the service of corporate headquarters, hotels, restaurants or private homes.

Finally, the firm is no stranger to the field of urban planning. On the contrary, it has been actively involved in urban developments through a specific area made up of lawyers, architects, civil engineers, landscape architects, etc.

Un estudio familiar de arquitectos reconocidos

Born in the town of Ribadavia in the province of Orense in 1951, Julio Touza Rodríguez is the seed of Touza Arquitectos. After studying first in Barcelona and then at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid (ETSAM), he graduated in 1974 and a year later set up the studio.

Throughout his career, Touza Rodríguez has combined his professional activity with teaching and creative work. Thus, to his prolific performance as an architect, awarded with different recognitions, he adds a facet of speaker and author of books. A dedication in which he has dealt with the industrialisation of construction, modulation, prefabrication and urban planning, among other subjects.

Looking back, Julio Touza, already a renowned architect, recalls that when he moved to the Spanish capital he was afraid he would never become one. "But in the end I discovered that architecture was my life's passion. Through hard work, sacrifice and dedicating hours and hours, I managed to establish an important studio," he told ABC newspaper.

"Today," he continues, "I have an extraordinary team of people by my side. And, in addition, I am fortunate that my eldest son, also an architect, shares the same dreams and commitments as me. We make a good team".

Curiously, Julio Touza Sacristán, his son, was born the same year the studio was founded. A graduate of the ETSAM, he joined Touza Arquitectos in 2000. In addition to being a partner and co-director, he plays an important role in its internationalisation, having collaborated with such prestigious architects, consultancies and studios as Günter Standke, HTT Group, Jean Nouvel, Kilo Architecture and Philippe Starck.

At the same time, like his father, Touza Sacristán often participates in congresses, seminars and sectorial meetings to give talks and conferences in order to share his particular vision of architecture.

The most famous projects of Touza Arquitectos

Real estate developers, social housing cooperatives, public entities, large corporations, investment funds... In 50 years, Touza Arquitectos has received commissions from thousands of clients both in Spain and abroad.

It is therefore a difficult exercise to summarise his outstanding and varied work. Nevertheless, the following selection of projects gives an idea of his work.

Residential:

• Skyline Towers. Madrid.
• River Park Residence. Madrid.
• Park 74. Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid.
• Residencial 92 Móstoles Sur. Móstoles, Madrid.
• Ibiza Royal Beach Resort. Ibiza.
• Ca N'Aubarca residential development. Ibiza.

Offices:

• Siemens corporate headquarters in Spain. Tres Cantos, Madrid.
• CST Siemens Technology Complex. Getafe, Madrid.
• 3M Spain: Technical Customer Centre. Madrid.
• CPS Group headquarters. Getafe, Madrid.
• Bitácora Technological Building. Leganés, Madrid.
• Citrus headquarters. Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid.

Singular architecture:

• National Centre for the Profoundly Physically Handicapped. Cáceres.
• Parish house and church of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Sacramento. Madrid.
• GlaxoSmithKline robotised warehouse. Aranda de Duero, Burgos.
• Museum-Oil Mill (next to Philippe Starck). Ronda, Malaga.
• Radisson Hotel. Tangier (Morocco).
• LIV Student Residence. Seville.

Rehabilitation:

• Palace of the Nuncio. Aranjuez.
• Gamazo Palace. Madrid.
• Hotel Casino Gran Vía. Madrid.
• Casa palacio Santa Isabel, 21-23. Madrid.
• Edificio Fernando VI, 19.
• Edificio Tirso de Molina, 8. Madrid.

Interior design:

• Puertalsol Restaurant by Chicote. Madrid.
• Joselito's Velázquez gourmet shop and restaurant. Madrid.
• Ramses Group offices. Madrid.
• Red Hat offices. Madrid.
• Wellington Spa and gym. Madrid.
• Luxury penthouse in José Abascal, 48. Madrid.

Town planning:

• Residential neighbourhood of 2,000 dwellings. Luanda (Angola).
• Hospitality-science city for the World Bank. Cameroon.
• Urban development of Punctum Millenium. Pinto, Madrid.
• City of Water and Energy. Rivas. Madrid.
• Paseo de la Dirección Partial Plan. Madrid.
• Multi-confessional cemetery. Paracuellos del Jarama, Madrid.

When asked about the projects designed by the studio, Julio Touza Sacristán told Interempresas: "Although it is true that in our origins we specialised in residential architecture, especially social housing, we have evolved and grown as a multidisciplinary studio. The versatility of working on different scales of architecture is today a large part of the identity of Touza Arquitectos".

Touza Architects in Kronos Homes

"However," adds Touza Sacristán, "the market recognises us more as a studio specialising in the different aspects of residential architecture, including the design of high-end housing. This is one of the reasons that led Kronos Homes to commission Touza to design one of its developments. The result is Park 74, a complex of terraced houses located in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid).

These three-bedroom homes with a private garden and basement are a magnificent example of sustainable and attractive single-family architecture. Touza Arquitectos has created buildings with elegant, clean and simple forms in which large windows predominate, thus enhancing the spaciousness of the spaces.

And, as usual in Kronos Homes' real estate projects, Park 74 has paid special attention to the communal areas. Thus, the development has a large swimming pool and children's play area.

"Architecture must be a service to society, provide wellbeing to people and contribute to the balance of its environment. All this without renouncing an ideal of beauty that our discipline is capable of achieving while solving technical and functional needs", concludes Julio Touza Sacristán. A philosophy that has undoubtedly been embodied in Park 74.