Architecture in constant evolution: Interview with Hiha Studio
Every project that falls into their hands is like a precious stone: they polish and transform them to create unique and very special pieces.
Genís, Bernat and Jona, the members of Hiha Studioare not only the professionals behind this architecture studio located in Barcelona, but they have forged a friendship that is reflected in the relationship they create with their clients: direct and trusting. Below, we open the doors and the heart of Hiha Studio (on instagram)Enjoy!
Tell us about yourselves and your work. Where did your vocation begin? Any first memories?
The Hiha Studio team is made up of three architects: Genís, Bernat and Jona. We met at the technical architecture school where we became good friends, then we continued and finished our architectural studies together.
After working in different offices, in 2017 we started to receive private commissions separately and we decided to get together to develop the projects together. This has allowed the projects to have different points of view and many pauses for reflection, when it is not one but the other that rethinks the strategies, approaches... that make us learn from the process and the result.
What do you find most satisfying about your work, and is there anything you are particularly proud of?
We like to learn, in all our projects we try to spend time documenting ourselves, reading, watching... Another thing that satisfies us is to be our own boss and to be able to organise our time in the way that suits us best.
In general, all the projects we have done satisfy us, we are always surprised by some detail, some space once they are finished. But, for example, one of the projects we are most satisfied with is Cal Jordi & Anna, which has been widely publicised and was a finalist in the Catalunya Construcció 2019 Awards and a selected work in the Mostra d'Arquitectura de les Terres de Lleida 2019.
We are also very proud of the competition we have won for the DAMM Football Club Sports Complex in Montjuïc.
The thorn in our side is the 44-housing project in Sant Boi de Llobregat, where we came second.
What is your creative process like, what are your sources of inspiration, any particular music while working?
We start the projects with different discussions among ourselves about the different information and documentation that we have been able to collect in order to create a narrative that guides us in the project phase. Normally this narrative is sufficiently open to give wings to different options on which we work. In this process, Jona gives us a bit of Cuban "son".
Favourite colour, book, film and record - in that order! ;D
It depends on the year.
At home, by Bill Bryson
The Lobster, by Yorgos Lanthimos
Energia Fosca, by el Petit de Cal Eril
Is your home a reflection of who you are? Tell us what it smells like, your favourite corner, your favourite decorative object or piece of furniture, if you treasure a collection... And if you have a pet, introduce it to us!
It is less than a year since we moved into a new workspace and we are slowly building it up and, yes, it seems to be a reflection of ourselves, constantly evolving and building!
In the new space we are accompanied by very personal objects such as Bernat's "Sevillana", Jona's "Tillandisia Caput medusae" and Schmott's Christmas card for Genís.
If you could buy anything right now and take it home, what would it be? Anything!
We would love to have lots of plants for our terrace, lots of them!
A great plan at home always includes...
Sun, music and our friends
Do you have any star dishes?
I think all three of us agree in saying that we love any meal cooked on the office barbecue and Genís' paella, it's not to be missed!
Where is your favourite place in your city and abroad?
We always meet up in the streets of the Gracia neighbourhood, they never fail. Outside we would love to do a grand tour of Italy from north to south.
Anything you want to tell us that we haven't asked you - speak now or forever hold your peace!
Many people ask us about the name of our studio, they don't understand it or they mispronounce it. Actually, the name Hiha Studio is a play on words related to the verb "haber" in Catalan.
