SelgasCano's latest architectural projects

Concept design of house built in a hill, road underneath

Spanish architects Selgascano stole the spotlight this summer with their colourful Serpentine Pavilion in London. We met them to find out the exciting projects they have in the pipeline. Pictured here, La Canaria is a new private residence they are working on in Los Angeles

(Image credit: TBC)

By Suzanne Wales

last updated 19 August 2022

in News

José Selgas and Lucía Cano, the duo that make up the Madrid-based studio SelgasCano, have compared their role as architects to that of a waiter: they are mere intermediaries between the demands of the client, the place and construction. The 'kitchen' (or studio) is where the work is 'cooked'.

After the success of SalgasCano's Serpentine Gallery Pavilion – an amorphous tube made of multi-coloured plastic – the practice is bubbling with new projects. One is an extension of Second Home, the creative workplace in East London, founded by the young entrepreneurs Rohan Silva and Sam Aldenton. The first phase was completed by SegasCano in late 2014. The extension will see the venue expand by three floors, doubling the number of private work studios. Due to be completed in May 2016, the architects have projected full-grown trees and large indoor ponds weaving around sunken seating areas. As far as risk-taking goes, it seem Second Home's co-founders are dream clients.

'Yes they are,' agrees Selgas from his glass-walled studio in a wood near Madrid. 'The relationship is very fluid - it's like "lets to this and lets do that.''' Selgas is less impressed with the Tower Hamlets Department of Planning, who are having trouble understanding a new facade for the building, which is inspired by a typically English greenhouse extension. 'Trying to be the first is difficult,' Selgas laments. 'It's the same the world over.'

Elsewhere, the Plasencia Congress Centre - a controversial project that has been 10 years in the making - is finally coming to an end. And over in Los Angeles, the studio will sign off three private homes in early 2016.

One is situated the slopes of Mount Washington. It features a terrace the same size as the interior because, the architects say, in LA people live as much outside as they do in. In order to cut costs, a challenge that Selgas and Cano relish as much as they do juxtaposing high-tech materials with nature, every interior element comes from the catalogue of Home Depot. Giant palm trees, weave through a protective enveloping façade made of recycled wood, giving the impression of a classic mid-century LA home styled by a pair of eco-minded futurists.

Concept design of the interior of a house, including people sitting on chairs, standing and a cat — Situated in Mount Washington, the house has stunning 180 degree views of the San Fernando valley (Image credit: TBC)

Concept design of house built on a hill into the slope — The architects make the most of the site’s natural slope with their design (Image credit: TBC)

Concept design of house built into a hill, car driving on the road away from house — ...which exhibits the pair’s signature use of vibrant colours. The house is slated for completion in 2016. (Image credit: TBC)

Coloured drawing of plans for three level extension including adjacent land — The extension of Second Home, the creative workplace in East London which they designed in 2014, is also coming up. It will see the venue expand by three floors, doubling the number of private work studios. (Image credit: TBC)

Coloured drawing of a three level extension — Due to be completed in May 2016, the architects have projected full-grown trees and large indoor ponds weaving around sunken seating areas (Image credit: TBC)

Concept design of the new congress centre in Placencia, — Another of Selgascano’s key ongoing works is a new congress centre in Placencia, which is reaching completion in 2016 (Image credit: TBC)

People walking towards vaccination centre in Kenya — A vaccination centre in Kenya is an example of the firm’s recently completed works. (Image credit: Iwan Baan)

Aerial view of the vaccination centre made from corrugated metal and scaffolding — Called Konokono, the structure is made of corrugated metal and scaffolding elements. (Image credit: Iwan Baan)

Close up view of metal structure — The structure may be simple but it is effective and provides protection from the region’s bright sun. (Image credit: Iwan Baan)

INFORMATION

For more information on Selgascano visit the website