LópezTena is a global architecture, interior design and design studio. Our practice has its roots in architecture and flows seamlessly into other creative fields. Our work ranges from the complexity of large-scale luxury hotels and the uniqueness of residential projects to the design of bespoke furniture. We blend these disciplines to create cohesive projects where the context, atmosphere and every detail convey the same sense of purpose.

This result takes shape long before the first stroke is made. Every project begins with a phase of in-depth research and active listening, which enables us to view our work as a vocation, designed to transform complex needs into precise, distinctive solutions.a

The study is based on a collaborative methodology. We work closely with those who place their trust in us, treating their challenges as our own. This commitment enables us to develop solutions that combine technical rigour with deep human empathy, creating environments that deliver real value and well-being, and enhance people’s relationship with the spaces they inhabit.

LópezTena was founded on a deep bond that first emerged in 1993 at the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra. There, Ignacio López and Penélope Tena share a vision of their profession based on rigour, service and a commitment to people. This intellectual partnership moved to Madrid in 2003, where they founded a studio that, from the very beginning, has sought to respond to people’s needs with discernment and sensitivity.

A key moment in this journey was the Miralbueno project. More than just a residential commission, it was a statement of intent: an opportunity to demonstrate that architectural quality and structural integrity could elevate domestic life on a grand scale. Miralbueno cemented the studio’s design language, establishing an approach based on proportion, light and respect for the inhabitants that would set the course for future projects.

This quest for consistency took a decisive step forward with the arrival of major hotel projects, culminating in developments on the scale of the Thompson Madrid Hotel. The complexity of working on such a unique building meant that we had to break down disciplinary boundaries: it was no longer enough simply to design the building itself; we had to design the entire experience.

Following these commissions, interior design and product design were formally integrated in 2013. The practice has evolved from designing buildings to creating atmospheres, crafting bespoke furniture and pieces that interact with the architecture. Today, this fusion defines the firm’s identity: a global, multidisciplinary studio that approaches the design of a building, an interior or a bespoke piece with the same rigour, creating unique projects that combine timelessness with a refined aesthetic.

At LópezTena, the team sees itself as the driving force behind an essentially multidisciplinary practice, bringing together the talents of architects, interior designers and product designers. Here, work is understood as a collaborative process, in which these technical and creative perspectives come together to form a single vision. This cross-cutting approach defines the studio’s ethos: a rigorous commitment to the environment and a dedication to serving people.

This approach is based on active listening and a thorough understanding of each brief. Before putting pen to paper, the team analyses requirements and challenges, drawing on the expertise of engineers, craftsmen and consultants from the outset. A collaborative approach that transforms complexity into clear solutions, where technical expertise is always balanced with sensitivity.

The studio is organised into areas that function as interconnected spaces. This operational fluidity blurs the boundaries between disciplines and scales, enabling work to range from the urban perspective down to the details of street furniture. It is in this fusion that the team’s strength lies: the ability to create cohesive spaces, where every decision—from the building down to the smallest object—is guided by a single, holistic vision.