With a clean and contemporary design philosophy Barcelona Based MODO DESIGN has kept ahead of the game by offering solutions in a modern world.
From Private residences in Menorca to restaurants in Barcelona, and most recently winner of the exclusive design competition that awarded MODO DESIGN STUDIO the first place for their presentation of a 2,110 Sq Meter private villa in Morocco. Modo Design continues to push the bounds of contemporary architecture in Catalonia and around spain.
Back in 2007, MODO DESIGN STUDIO was founded by CHRISTIAN SINTES MIDMORE and DAVID DOMINGUEZ FUSTER
both professors at the prestigious ETSALS School of Architecture in Barcelona. In just four short year the studio has created some of their most visionary work and has combined their mediterranean sensibilities into a studio with a global vision. Modo has redefined the use of conceptual design due to their intense attention to light and space used in private residences as well as commercial spaces.
In 2010, due to the success of MODO, Christian and David decided to expand the studio to include their own line of lighting and home Accessories -DOMO. Inspired by their design philosophy and dedication to the creation of one of a kind pieces.
PULSOBCN caught up with Christian & David (MODO DESIGN STUDIO) for a quick chat about the evolution of the studio, Spotify, Favorite restaurants and how they have not let the crisis become a 6 letter word but have rather adapted well to the changes in the market; managing to expand their design philosophy to the current global situation.
Hi Guys, Thanks for meeting up with us !
How Did you guys realize you wanted to work together and how did the name come about?
CHRISTIAN: Actually we became great partners during our career at the ETSALS university. I guess we were very used to deal with each others manner, and became great friends on personal level, and great partners on the professional level. We complement each other very well. Modo responds to “Multiple purpose design office”.
DAVID: We met in our second year at the university in a projects course. We got along well and also shared interest for the same type of architecture. At the end of the year we decided to make a students competition together, and we won.
Would you describe your point of view Catalan? How has being raised in Menorca/Barcelona effected your design style?
C: Well, I would´t say our point of view is necessarily “Catalan”, we are now focused in generating our own “manner” or “working style”, I dont´t think this manner is very influenced by the Catalan Design, but there is somehow a spanish approach in terms of commitment to a strong concept for each project. The economic situation in the country is not the best you can imagine, so we usually opt for a very strong idea that can be built in an easy way. That does not mean that it is an “easy idea”, we usually like to use the “simple complexity” as a term to describe our work.
D: We have a certain way of doing things that could be related to Barcelona. But mainly because some people who have influenced us live in Barcelona.
If you could redesign one architectural gem in Barcelona which one would you like to take a go at?
C: Realistically I don´t think there is a “supericon” that we would like to design. We like all types of design, no matter if we are designing an interior, a furniture peace or an iconic museum, we are now open to all types of creative developments. I think this is why we have a range of projects which we offer our clients.
D: I would like to do something with Plaça Catalunya. Itʼs a very important place that never really worked well.
I agree!! It would be great to see the focal point of Barcelona redone to fit the style of the city and serve as a gateway to all the arteries that radiate from the center. What would be a collaboration would you like to see happen with your studio (Who is your dream client)?
C: One open to new ideas and with no economic restrictions… <Laughs> Everyone´s dream I guess !!
D: Each client is different. The most important thing for a good relation is that thereʼs a mutual understanding and respect.
What has been your favorite job?
C: We had a lot of fun when we won the “europan 9 competition”, we had just finished our studies at the university, and it opened a great way to take de decision of opening our own “Atelier”.
D: The European 9 project in Soria has been really interesting and has given us a lot of experience dealing with the public administration.
What is a typical day at the MODO/DOMO Studio? Do you guys prefer to work with Music OR do you guys have a muse?
C: Coffee, Phone Calls, Spotify, loads of models and sketches… We don´t have as much time as we would like to “think more and workless”, but we are confident to make that happen sometime! We listen to all kinds of music during the day. We share music with our collaborators, so we always have a nice background.
D: We usually deal with a lot of issues, itʼs all day phone calls and mails. But we love the ongoing “stress”. Spotify is always a good option. We have developed a few fantastic Modo playlists.
Design in times of Crisis? or WHAT CRISIS?
C: Definitely what crisis…Crisis is an oportunity to open new ways of investigation and creative development. Thanks to crisis we have been able to open DOMO Product Design, redesign a new housing system www.b-house.es, and generate a greater social network “crossed visions always enrich the final solution”. We are now in touch with different universities in order to implement workshops, we are teaching, and we are looking forward to export some of our designs internationally.
D: Crisis has given us the opportunity to rethink our way of dealing with design. As an emerging studio it is always interesting to develop new approaches to several problems.
Who do you think has been the most influential Designer in Barcelona?
C: I would not say that Barcelona has a highly influential figure who is able to outshine all designers, I would rather say that there is a lot of potential in little studios aiming to break into the international market. There are very good designers here, you only need a few google clicks to find out. It has been hard, but I think people are becoming more confident now with younger designers and with fresh ideas than a few years ago.
D: In our architecture school years Enric Miralles was a big influence for almost everybody. He was able to open a new and singular way to express spatial matters.
How has your work changed in the last few years?
C: We are a very young studio in terms of architecture, and have not been able to build as much as we would have liked. We started building a few houses and interiors. After our first buildings we were called on to redesign the facade of a very well-known hospital “Clínica Corachan” in collaboration with LLRR architects a project which is currently under construction. As I said before we designed “the b-house project”, out of the imperative necessity to investigate solutions for “low cost housing” designed with “sustainable and low impact” parameters. We are now in a time of expansion.
D: It has changed in many ways. The last years have given us a lot of experience and nowadays we are more aware of the concrete specificities of every design type.
What is your favorite bar/restaurant/hangout where we can find you on a sunday afternoon?
C. I have quite a few personal favorites; I very often visit “la burg restaurant”. It is almost a tradition for me having dinner at “san telmo bar-restaurant” during the weekends. I would also recommend “les gens que j´aime” and “the banker bar” designed by Patricia Urquiola at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
D: On Sundays I usually grab some sushi at ʻKibukaʼ a Japanese restaurant located in the barrio of Gracia next to our studio…
For more information on MODO or to contact Christian and David directly please email them at modo@modo.st
MODO. Architecture & Interiors
www.modo.st / www.domo.st / www.b-house.es
Tags: b-house.es, Christian Sintes Midmore, David Dominguez Fuster, Design, DOMO, ETSALS, Kibuka, La Burg restaurant, LLRR architects, MODO Design Studio, Patricia Urquioloa, San Telmo Bar, The Banker's Bar, Velvet Lamp
