Located in Plaza del Carmen, between Gran Vía and Puerta del Sol, the Hotel Thompson Madrid project represents the consolidation of the studio’s architectural practice across all scales: urban planning, architecture, interior design and product design, developed in an integrated manner from a single project concept. The studio is responsible for both the architectural design and the complete interior design, and plays an active role in the urban transformation of its immediate surroundings, forming part of a wider regeneration process in the city centre promoted in collaboration with public and private stakeholders.
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Designed to be the first Thompson brand property outside the United States, the project paves the way for a pioneering vision of lifestyle hospitality in the capital. Covering an area of over 20,000 m², the complex comprises a hotel, retail spaces, meeting and event facilities, dining areas and 176 rooms, 24 of which are suites.
The rooftop, offering 360-degree views, features an outdoor bar and a pool area, alongside a spacious dining area, in a prime location in the heart of Madrid.
Architecture. The commission presented a highly complex architectural and urban challenge: to restore an existing building and design a new one so that, together, they would function as a single entity.
Building on this symbolic reference, the stay will be conceived as the start of a journey, an experience that unfolds across space and time. The journey transforms the traveller, and the hotel becomes a reflection of the city: its light, its rhythm, its culture and its social character
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The brief stems from a particularly challenging urban context: two adjoining buildings, situated on irregular plots and with a significant difference in level between Montera, Plaza del Carmen and San Alberto. The project transforms this complexity into a design tool, adjusting levels, access points and circulation routes so that the complex functions as a single entity, blending naturally into the historic fabric of central Madrid.
The project combines renovation and new architecture to create a unified and coherent façade. The existing building’s presence is enhanced by restoring its proportions, rhythms and façade elements, alongside a comprehensive upgrade of its structure and services. At the same time, the new building is designed as an extension of the main building: it matches its height and urban profile, and completes the complex’s volume with a more cohesive and contemporary appearance.
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The project’s base is conceived as an active urban element: it organises commercial uses on the lower levels to restore continuity to the pedestrian thoroughfare and enhance the vibrancy of Montera, whilst towards Plaza del Carmen the hotel takes on a more serene and civic character, with clear access points and a direct connection to the public space. This dual nature—more commercial towards Montera, more institutional towards the square—allows the building to engage with the city on different yet complementary levels.
The unity of the complex is achieved through its layout and user experience: a precise zoning system separates the flows of guests, staff and services, whilst circulation cores are strategically positioned to connect both areas without disrupting their operation. The courtyards and interior voids are reclaimed as architectural elements—light, ventilation, orientation—and the roof is transformed into a truly liveable space: terraces, shade, water and views, which mark the end of the journey and give the hotel its identity on the Madrid skyline.
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Drawing on this symbolic reference, the stay will be conceived as the start of a journey, an experience that unfolds across space and time. The journey transforms the traveller, and the hotel becomes a reflection of the city: its light, its rhythm, its culture and its social character.
The project is situated in a notably dilapidated square in Madrid, and both the architectural practice and the client have sought from the outset to play an active role in the urban transformation of the immediate surroundings, contributing to the regeneration of the city centre.
From this perspective, which aims to reconnect the building with the city, a broader understanding of the urban landscape currently unfolding in Madrid emerges. The project is part of a reality that is already taking shape in the capital, which is progressively establishing itself as a bridge between the Americas and Europe—a place of cultural, economic and social exchange that is constantly evolving.
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Rather than emulating the American Thompson hotels, the project opts for a local interpretation of the brand’s ethos, in line with its commitment to revitalising strategic urban locations and offering unique experiences centred on the concept of ‘quiet luxury’, where the appeal lies in the sense of balance.
Light, the project’s fundamental element, organises the spaces. The design works from the urban scale down to the finest detail, modulating intensity and colour temperature. Warm lighting (2300 K) creates an enveloping, almost domestic atmosphere that defines the hotel’s emotional character. On each floor, the circulation routes alternate between areas of soft lighting and strategic openings that provide moments of respite, guidance and a sense of refuge.
The materials serve as a narrative thread. Calatorao stone is used throughout the building in a variety of finishes—polished, weathered, honed or bush-hammered—depending on the space it occupies, bearing witness to the passage of time and the craftsman’s skill. The same material transforms, just as the traveller does on their journey. Natural walnut brings warmth and depth to the spaces, whilst the metals, chosen for their authenticity, lend elegance, light and character.
The result is an authentic hotel, full of character, deeply urban and timeless, which enhances the travel experience.
Product design. Within this framework, the practice of product design is also being strengthened, understood as a natural extension of architectural and interior design.
The design of bespoke furniture helps to create cohesive and functional spaces, blending seamlessly with the architecture and enhancing the overall spatial experience.
The user experience stems from the interior architecture itself—from its proportions, textures and light—and is enhanced by carefully selected pieces of furniture, designed to interact with the space and reinforce the project’s identity.
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Many pieces are bespoke designs created to give character to specific spaces, including large chandeliers and ceiling fixtures in communal areas, the lobby bar, and the minibars in rooms and suites, as well as armchairs, tables, valet stands, open shelving units and lighting fixtures.
We also offer bespoke designs for shelving, doors, windows, bathroom furniture, rugs, carpets, and patterns for floor and wall coverings.
All of this is carried out in close collaboration with craftspeople, working from the early stages with specialists in wood, metal and glass, marble workers, upholsterers, carpet workshops, lighting experts and leading suppliers.
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We created bespoke installations for various areas, such as the main courtyard. We designed a hanging forest which, as well as screening the views across the courtyard, evokes a wonderful journey through nature. Vines of various ivies and hanging plants support clusters of ethereal stones, crafted from blown glass and stacked one upon the other, resembling mounds that point the way. The pieces, suspended above a glossy black floor that resembles a crystal-clear lake, create a sense of infinite depth. At night, the warm, soft light emanating from the blown glass creates a magical, enveloping atmosphere.
A slightly more informal and daring approach was taken to designing the vertical route that staff members take several times a day; it needed an inspiring and dynamic solution that placed the employee at the heart of the action. The walls of the ‘Back of the House’ stairwell were covered with hand-drawn illustrations by our team depicting Madrid’s streets and most iconic buildings, accompanied by explanatory texts; the route becomes a journey through the most authentic Madrid.
Our journey. The project goes beyond a conventional architectural commission by incorporating a human and urban dimension that extends its impact beyond the building itself.
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This commitment to the local area led to the creation of Amigos de la Plaza del Carmen, a neighbourhood association set up by the studio in collaboration with various property owners in the Plaza del Carmen, with the aim of promoting the regeneration of the public space and the restoration of a run-down area in Madrid’s historic centre.
The initiative arose from a broader understanding of the project, viewing architecture as a cross-cutting process capable of stimulating social dynamics, fostering dialogue between public and private stakeholders, and making a positive contribution to urban life. The project thus became a shared experience in which architecture, the city and people were intertwined.
The project and its implementation were both complex and exciting. Today, we share a collective sense of a job well done, felt by all the teams and professionals involved. It was a demanding process, with challenging moments that helped us grow, refine our decisions and give our all to exceed initial expectations; and there were many inspiring moments that forged bonds and relationships.
Having developed the project alongside top-tier professionals and teams has left us not only with a tangible result, but also with profound insights: relationships that have blossomed into friendships, shared emotions, accumulated experience and valuable know-how that strengthens the way we work. This combination of knowledge, commitment and human connections, which extends far beyond the project itself, defines the true value of our journey.