A FRANK CHAT WITH ADRIÁN BEDOYA
As a born-and-bred Ibicenco and principal architect at BMA Architects, Adrián Bedoya brings a rare blend of local insight, an inherent understanding of the island’s history and traditions, and architectural precision to his work.
Appreciating Ibiza’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and evolving urban dynamics with both curiosity and awareness, Bedoya’s approach is anything but formulaic. From luxury coastal apartments to thoughtfully integrated villa developments, his projects reflect a careful balance between innovation and tradition, functionality and ambience, shaped by his consciousness of the impact each of our actions have on our environment.
In this interview, Adrián shares his perspective on the unique challenges of designing for Ibiza, the philosophy that guides his studio, and why architecture, at its best, is about far more than aesthetics - it's about shaping the quality of everyday life.
Adrián, can you tell us a little about yourself, your personal connection to Ibiza and how you have seen the island change over the years?
I'm originally from Ibiza, and I've had the privilege of enjoying everything the island has to offer since childhood. Over time, I've learned to understand and respect it deeply. Ibiza boasts many attractions related to its climate, nature, culture, and gastronomy, but its small size means that any action, whether individual or collective, can have significant consequences. The island's popularity is a great source of wealth, but it's also its ‘Achilles' heel’. Managing tourism effectively is crucial for ensuring a sustainable future for Ibiza and its residents. Recently, changing tourism models have increased demographic pressures, reaching limits that are now being addressed through regulations.
What drew you to architecture originally, and how has your style evolved over the years?
I've always had a keen curiosity to observe and understand my surroundings. With time, you start to grasp various inherent patterns in nature and society. Architecture allows me to apply these principles directly to people's environments. Proportions, aesthetic standards, functional solutions, and other creative tools, when properly applied, can greatly enhance people’s quality of life. Describing a specific stylistic evolution is challenging. Our design approach prioritizes a deep understanding of the project's environment and needs - whether commercial, environmental, or technical. That's probably why our projects look quite different from each other at first glance. The common thread is our strategic approach to seamlessly integrating each project into its surroundings.
How would you describe the architectural philosophy behind BMA Architects?
At the heart of all our projects are people. From the earliest stages, we focus on creating high-quality spaces. It's vital to manage all factors that contribute to everyday comfort, as these significantly influence overall quality of life. This philosophy, combined with energy-efficient measures, thoughtful usage plans, landscape integration, and other architectural tools, results in designs that are sensible, functional, and distinctive for each project. These variables are the essence of our architecture, not merely aesthetics. Otherwise, we would be talking about sculptural art rather than habitable spaces.
Ibiza is a very unique place. What’s it like designing for this island specifically? What are the main challenges - and rewards?
Ibiza's predominantly warm to very hot climate compels us to thoroughly understand the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, as daily life here largely unfolds outdoors. Designing spaces that are well-connected and functional outdoors is essential. Another defining characteristic is the island’s Mediterranean light, its intensity, duration, and changing angles throughout the day. Maximizing this natural light enriches indoor spaces while controlling its climate impact. Effective management of natural light often results in creating comfortable shaded spaces. Additionally, our architecture frequently incorporates traditional Mediterranean materials. Applying these aspects harmoniously results in balanced spaces that provide users with subtle yet tangible enjoyment.
How do you balance modern aesthetics with the traditional Ibicenco character in your projects?
It’s essential first to fully understand the core elements of Ibizan architecture and why they exist. With this comprehension, a dialogue between modernity and tradition can be established. Modernity introduces new construction techniques, materials, and trends, but there’s a limit to how far the blend between modern and traditional can stretch. Striking the right balance is key.
What was the inspiration for the Sol Connection development?
Sol Connection is located in a distinctly urban setting, just meters from the sea and the island’s most beautiful sunset viewing spot. The sunset itself dictated our decision to orient the main façade westward. Common living areas, terraces, and large openings on the façade encourage ample natural light but pose challenges due to the horizontal nature of the sunset rays. Thus, incorporating solar protection was essential, notably with a lattice façade that became a distinctive feature. The rest of the project logically follows on from this approach, with communal outdoor areas featuring pools situated on sunny, open plots, and the building’s vertical circulation core placed at the rear.
Do you see a trend of more buyers looking for luxury apartments in recent years? What are the benefits of this type of property?
It seems that Ibiza’s evolving market may indeed reflect this trend, something we frequently encounter in our projects and with our clients. Buyers seeking luxury apartments typically appreciate added value, be it through high-quality architecture, premium finishes, or prime locations. Achieving such high standards requires meticulous attention, something we consistently prioritize.
You’re also involved in the development of eight villas in Cana Negreta - what can you tell us about that? What kind of vision do you have for this project in terms of design, sustainability, and lifestyle?
The 8 Collection consists of eight homes in one of Ibiza's most promising areas, extremely well-connected and serviced. This type of semi-detached housing, less common here, combines cost-effectiveness with the advantages of single-family homes, private gardens, pools, rooftop terraces, and flexible spaces for personalized use. Integrating exterior spaces with interior living areas has been carefully considered, making gardens almost an extension of indoor common areas. This significantly enhances the residents' quality of life. The project features photovoltaic power generation and water-saving systems, making it highly efficient and sustainable.
Where do you find inspiration - both inside and outside of architecture?
Whenever possible, I sail. Life at sea is entirely different, allowing me time for rest and reflection. Traveling also provides substantial inspiration. Experiencing different environments, customs, and cultures reveals new architectural ideas and interpretations that are deeply enriching.
What excites you most about the future of design in Ibiza?
The future, both in Ibiza and nationwide, is shifting towards prefabricated construction. The main challenge will be ensuring these new building techniques still respect the factors that add real value to projects and their resulting homes.
And finally - what does home mean to you as an architect?
The concept of "home" is deeply connected to "atmosphere." Home is the environment or atmosphere providing the ideal conditions for people to live harmoniously. Human relationships, emotions, activities, food, family, and wellbeing, all these factors fall under the umbrella of architecture. As architects, we bear immense responsibility for the homes we create because our work significantly impacts society and overall quality of life.
For further information on Adrián Bedoya and his work visit www.bmarq.es. The Sol Connection project is listed on Fantastic Frank Ibiza here.