TODAY WE INTERVIEW ANA ARMERO

This has been his professional career so far:

Ana Armero, from La Mancha born in Argamasilla de Alba (Ciudad Real). She graduated in Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid with a Final Year Project on housing to rehabilitate Lavapiés with which she obtained an Honorable Mention from the European University of Madrid.

She has professional experience in residential architecture, retail and, since 2017, an architect at Enero Arquitectura, serving as director of heritage rehabilitation and hospital architecture projects for the last year.

Let us get to know you a little better... What is architecture for you?

Architecture for me is the ability to improve people's lives. If the agents that are part of the process allow us, we can make the spaces where we live, work, enjoy our free time or heal more habitable, thus improving our well-being, our quality of life... We have a great responsibility. , architecture has a strong impact on people's lives.

Sustainability and architecture are increasingly linked…

Perhaps in industrial processes of traceability of materials and construction systems, we are making great progress, but, in terms of the sustainability of cities, the new urban expansions seek to extend more and more in the territory, making the use of private vehicles essential. Meanwhile, city centers are emptied of residents and businesses due to the use of tourist housing. That's not very sustainable. The focus of sustainability is on architecture and is very positive, but the sustainable design of the cities we inhabit remains pending.

How do you imagine the architecture of the future?

I would love it to be architecture in contact with nature, buildings implemented and designed to function in the territory where they are located. Where the environment is taken into account, the interior-exterior dialogue of the building, the vegetation, the lighting, the use of materials with less environmental impact, long-lasting. The reuse of built spaces to maximize the useful life of what exists. An architecture that does not think about these conditions is not a good architecture.

Any important projects you are working on that you can tell us about?

My team and I have just finished renovating the rooms at the Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo, a spectacular 14th century castle located in the province of Salamanca. A very important work for me, in which you must have respect and patience for what you discover in the different stages of the performance. It is a very artisanal type of work, taking great care of the details. We are very happy with the result.

What is the most curious place where you have been inspired?

Glenn Murcutt, an Australian architect concerned that his homes do not damage the landscape and are comfortable while consuming little energy, says: «Almost all the important things I know I have learned by observing. If you look, you see. It takes patience and time. You must learn where to look and, at the same time, to see what you did not expect to see. Learn to look... anywhere, anywhere.

Any dream projects come true?

In general, working since recent years at Enero Arquitectura, in healthcare architecture. Where, for example, a few years ago we built an operating room with views of nature, with natural light to improve the patient experience and reduce stress for all users of the space. I feel very proud to be able to contribute to improving the lives of patients in such critical moments for anyone.

What led you to dedicate yourself to architecture? My father began his professional career as a bricklayer, then with a construction company that he has kept going his entire life. He gave me that passion and desire to make so many people's projects come true, reflected in a few lines on a piece of paper.