Balzar Architects is an architectural and interior design firm located in Valencia, Spain, founded by José María in 2018. Balzar Architects is a family-oriented architectural enterprise, bringing together two generations of architects, including his son Txema García, who aspired to become an architect at the age of six, and Txema García's partner Laura Moreno. Together, they manage the studio with the purpose of creating human-centric residential buildings for people.

In this master class, the co-founders of Balzar Architects, Laura and Txema, shared their design philosophy and process on the topic of "Luxury in Architecture." When it comes to luxury, they believe that simplicity, naturalness, and timelessness are the real values, rather than the highly materialistic things pursued by most contemporary people. They believe that beauty is formed by the combination of form, the proportion of that form, and the materials used to execute that form, while space must be based on the premise of fulfilling functionality.

Yinjispace：What materials are used for the exterior walls and roof of the lightweight steel structure of Rugby Home, and how is waterproofing treated?

Balzar Architects：This structure uses galvanized steel, which is very similar to gypsum board systems. It is also similar to the drywall systems used in Spain, with the exception that it is thicker and typically used for laminating gypsum. Once everything is assembled, an interlayer board is placed over the exterior that includes a cement board surface and a polystyrene core that provides insulation. This system ensures that all insulation is contiguous, like wrapping a coat around a building, and avoids the use of thermal bridges. This system is ideal for passive energy-saving homes, as they do not have thermal bridges and are fully insulated. The roof is waterproofed using a polyurethane system that is similar to a waterproof coating, waterproof film, or asphalt sheets. The interlayer board system allows the building to reach the highest energy rating and be disconnected from the power grid. In summary, the interlayer board system is like a perfect coat for a building.

Yinjispace：The renovation projects all adopt the method of no skirting line, how to solve the problem of anti pollution?

Balzar Architects：There are actually baseboards, but they are made of a material that can be easily cleaned. We try to make them the same color as the wall and the joints are handled very well, so they are actually not visible. However, there is a protective layer so they can be cleaned with water and the wall will not be damaged. In a previous detail, you can see that the baseboard is integrated into the wall. Usually, it is a durable and water-resistant product that can be made of materials such as ceramics or various other materials.

Yinjispace：How to deal with this hidden skirting line?

Balzar Architects：In this case, we used a type of polymer material that is capable of bending, allowing it to adapt to the curves of the wall. It has the appropriate resistance and durability against scrubbing and will not be damaged. This is a synthetic material that is similar to resin and artificial stone and can be bent. In this particular scenario, we used this material because artificial stone is highly water-resistant, and the material itself can also be bent. In addition, we used laminated gypsum and putty to make the wall very smooth. This material also has good durability.

Yinjispace：What aspects will be considered in the selection and matching of materials?

Balzar Architects：When it comes to selecting stone, we tend to use natural materials and prefer choosing imperfect stones. For example, in the project of the Olive Tree House, we use porous stones with a variety of colors and textures, giving the appearance of a weathered look. We believe that natural materials can provide better quality and texture and reduce the impact on the environment. Our principle is to use simple lines and natural materials, which is the foundation of our architecture. Choosing imperfect materials can provide a more natural and rustic appearance and reduce artificial control and intervention. Moreover, this choice is also very important for sustainability and environmental protection. Although we typically prefer to choose neutral colors, we sometimes select very vivid colors, but we ensure that they harmonize with the other materials inside the house. In conclusion, our selection standards are aimed at creating architectural works with a sense of the times and environmental consciousness.

Yinjispace：What cultural method of the central axis based on? How to resolve the rigidity and seriousness of space?

Balzar Architects：The axial design approach depends on how the building is constructed. We always hope to build a building that spans time and lasts for a long time. Therefore, we often draw inspiration from buildings 100 or 1000 years ago to learn classical composition. In our lectures, we have shown the drawings of villas and palaces, and built these classical plan designs with modern details. For example, buildings with large windows and rich decorative details. This classic design approach needs to have modern language features, which is one solution to solve this problem.

Yinjispace：Where does the inspiration for the curved shape come from?

Balzar Architects：When we design, the use of curves is of great help in integrating and solving the structure of equipment and unexpected problems. Additionally, from the perspective of architecture, curves can help us create reflection effects, generate private spaces, and make use of light to create intimate and private spaces. Finally, curves can also help us with layout. In some reconstruction projects, we need to stitch many elements together, such as columns and furniture. Without curves, it is difficult to create a whole because of the collision of elements and crossings, which are difficult to solve. Through these projects, we learned how to use curves and found that they can help us in different ways. Curves not only help us create paths and concentrate spaces but are also very friendly and easy to use. Curves are often used in our design process and help us solve different problems.

Yinjispace：How is the lighting arrangement for the latter project? How can lighting demand be fulfilled with so few light sources?

Balzar Architects：In all of our projects, lighting can be adjusted in intensity. Therefore, we usually have two ways of lighting. The first is to integrate lighting into the architecture, making the light source disappear and leaving only the light. This technique requires selecting the appropriate lamps and fixtures that blend into the architectural design and can be adjusted in intensity. The second way is to supplement with decorative lighting fixtures. In this case, we need to carefully choose fixtures to ensure they coordinate with the architecture and can also be adjusted in intensity. These two ways of lighting can be integrated into an adjustable framework. Our choice of lamps and fixtures is crucial because they allow us to work in different contexts. For example, we can adjust the brightness or color temperature of the lighting to achieve the desired effect. In our studio, artificial lighting is vital to us because we like simple and clean ceilings, and our lamps and fixtures meet this requirement.

Yinjispace：If you are able to conduct a follow-up visit with the property owner? Will their lives change after they move into the building you designed?

Balzar Architects：We conduct follow-up visits with our clients, which is often a lengthy process, and during which we typically become friends with them. Every time we visit a house, we discover that the situation varies greatly. Some clients like to add more colors, while others change some furniture. There are also clients who choose not to make any decoration modifications, and the end result is exactly like the picture. When designing a house, all modifications must be approved by the client to ensure that the style of the house meets their expectations and that there are no significant changes. However, the decorative elements of the house add vitality to it, and it becomes more real and lively once people start living in it. We love visiting these houses and seeing the relatively impersonal spaces we’ve created become a carefully tailored home for the client.

Yinjispace：How do designers improve their design sense?

Balzar Architects：Architecture is a complex and fascinating field, requiring multiple perspectives to learn and understand. Learning from the works of other architects is a great way to improve our design skills and judgment. Additionally, traveling is also a great opportunity for learning, as experiencing different architectural styles and cultural backgrounds firsthand can provide a better understanding and application of this knowledge. In short, accumulating more architectural culture is a foundation and necessary condition for becoming an outstanding architect.

Yinjispace：How did you develop your own design style?

Balzar Architects：This style is the result of our long-term work. At the beginning, we did not have a specific style. Over time, we continued to work and eventually formed this style. I believe the key is not to start with a preconceived idea. We have been discovering this style little by little and making choices when necessary. We followed the path we chose and formed our current architectural language. In this process, we used stones, integrated all elements of the building, used curved structures, and natural materials. These elements helped us gradually discover and form this style. As time went on, our clients trusted us more and we had more freedom to act according to our own preferences while still adhering to their requirements. This is not just an aesthetic issue, but also involves creative freedom.

Yinjispace：If you will experience failure in the process of innovation?

Balzar Architects：Although you inevitably encounter various difficulties in your work, it is precisely because of these difficulties that there is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and discover better solutions. Personally, we are very happy to collaborate with those who truly love their work, whether they are architects, carpenters, companies that build steel structures, or manufacturers of windows, because these people have more professional knowledge than we do and can help us create completely unique solutions for each project. It is these people and their spirit of collaboration that enable us to constantly seek innovation and excitement in every project, and to create irreplaceable architectural works. Typically, when we encounter partners who are enthusiastic about their profession and make unique or slightly complex proposals, they will also be excited and do their best to collaborate with us, to jointly seek solutions, and to create truly unique architectural works. When we meet such people, we will continue to work with them and grow together. As Txema said, our growth and success in each project depend on these people, who are the experts in this field.