About Me
My name is Javier Santomé. I graduated as an architect in A Coruña (Spain), with academic experience in Coimbra (Portugal) and Bologna (Italy). I’ve worked in architectural offices across Europe and now work independently, developing personal projects and collaborating with other professionals.I pursue a human approach to architecture — searching for the intersection between the ideal and the possible. I believe in embracing limitations and imperfections, as they are part of both life and architecture.
Studio Residential Work
These works reflect part of my professional journey within studio teams, where I learned from shared processes and contributed to shaping residential spaces. Each project was designed by its respective studio, and my role as a team member varied, involving tasks such as design development, technical documentation, and coordination during construction.
House in Łódź
Collaboration with moomoo architects
Single-family house on the outskirts of Łódź (Poland) designed with a traditional silhouette reinterpreted through contemporary materials.
LB House
Collaboration with pmp architecture
House in the heart of Milan (Italy) where reclaimed brick walls and natural textures define open, flexible spaces with a strong connection to the city’s historic character.
Greg House
Collaboration with NG architects
House in Seattle (USA) overlooking the bay, designed in close coordination with a local team and adapted to incorporate pre-purchased construction elements.
Selected Projects
These are projects I've led or co-developed alongside trusted collaborators. From a youth center to a restored coastal home, each one represents a personal and professional commitment from beginning to end.
Exhibition Fondazione Prada
Collaboration with Ekin Karaveli & Taejoo Jeon
A flexible and sustainable exhibition space designed for Fondazione Prada, merging cultural storytelling, local tradition and material reuse. Inspired by the form of traditional “Lucia” boats and natural skeletal structures.
Youth Center in Ames
Collaboration with RESIDE arquitectura
Youth Center in Ames (Spain), designed around a central courtyard and clad in translucent polycarbonate, offering flexible interior spaces and a vibrant relationship with the local community.
House in Baiona
Collaboration with RESIDE arquitectura
Complete renovation of a traditional house in the historic centre of Baiona. The front façade was preserved as the only original element, while the rest of the building was entirely redesigned to suit the client’s needs, combining heritage presence with contemporary living.
Awards & Nominations
Some of the projects I contributed to, while working within architectural offices, have been recognised through nominations and awards in international competitions. These acknowledgements reflect the value of teamwork and the shared pursuit of quality in design.
Villa Pearl – NG architects
Nominated for the BIG SEE Architecture Award 2025
Single-family villa located on the island of Roatán (Honduras). The project blends contemporary architecture with tropical vernacular influences, using clean volumes, large openings and natural materials to connect the house with its lush surroundings and sea views.
Konstari House – nonA d.o.o.
Nominated for the EUmies Awards 2019
Restoration and transformation of a traditional stone house in the Croatian countryside. The project preserves the character of the original structure while introducing new spatial clarity, material warmth and a strong dialogue between heritage and contemporary living.
Konstari House – nonA d.o.o.
3rd Prize – Public Competition 2017
Design for an educational facility combining a primary school and a centre for autism in Zagreb (Croatia). The proposal focused on spatial clarity, inclusive circulation, and the creation of a calm and welcoming atmosphere for students of diverse needs.
Architectural Reflections
A selection of architectural thoughts that have shaped the way I understand and approach design. These voices—of Rossi, Sitte and Siza—remain present in how I observe space, time, and the role of architecture in everyday life.
Aldo Rossi
The Architecture of the City
“Architecture does not only shape space, it shapes memory. Over time, buildings become witnesses — not merely functional objects, but fragments of life, cities, and history.”
Camillo Sitte
The Art of Building Cities
"Ancient squares were not shaped by compass or ruler, but by walking, gathering, and perspective. Beauty in the city lies in the irregular and the unexpected—spaces that unfold, invite us to pause, and allow us to see."
Álvaro Siza
Selected interviews and writings
“Each place already contains architecture. My task is to understand what is already there — to listen. The context, the history, the light. It’s not about imposing, but about continuing something, even when it seems new.”