MCIM Arquitectura

MCIM Arquitectura is an architecture and interior design studio in Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona) whose way of working with clients is close and collaborative. In this Inspiring Matter we spoke with its founders, the architects Maria Cifuentes and Isaac Martí, about what they consider essential when designing a space, how they divide the work and what they look for in materials.

They welcomed us at Blau by Foodies, the restaurant they refurbished in the old town of Sant Cugat. It is the project they present in the interview and the best example of how they use simple materials – perforated brick, thin hollow brick (rasilla), ceramics – to give a space texture and Mediterranean character. The answers are from both of them.

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MCIM Arquitectura: from furniture to buildings

Maria Cifuentes Rius and Isaac Martí Alabart founded MCIM Arquitectura in 2004 and, according to the studio, both qualified as architects in 2005 from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura La Salle (ETSALS) in Barcelona. In parallel, both have worked with other practices: Isaac Martí with Terradas Arquitectes between 2005 and 2014, and Maria Cifuentes with VVV Arquitectes and with the architect J. Navarro.

The studio works in architecture, interior design and furniture design, and explains that this variety allows it to handle different scales – from furniture, product and graphics to buildings – with an overall view of each commission. Its earlier restaurant projects before Blau include Sabàtic in Sant Cugat and Spark in Barcelona.

Architecture as a way of living better

To begin with, we asked them what they consider essential when designing a space.

“For us, architecture is an opportunity to change things and help people live better, more comfortably and wherever they want. We also want to simplify architecture, through form or through objects that help us organise spaces. Our way of working adapts to our clients; we work side by side with them to understand what their needs really are.

Our aim is to give the client more value through our proposal: more space, materials that play with texture, a better organisation of the elements, and so on. In every project we see an opportunity to improve ourselves and to add value for the client.”

“For us, architecture is an opportunity to change things and help people live better.”

— Maria Cifuentes and Isaac Martí

Two architects, one team with the client

How do you complement each other so that teamwork pays off, and what role does the client play in this process?

“We have always worked together, and that gives us a symbiosis that makes it work. Maria manages the projects, coordinating everything to do with regulations, and to keep everything aligned Isaac coordinates the project from the site. In this way we can bring different points of view to give creative, effective solutions to the requirements our clients bring us, and we define each person’s role within each project.

It is also important to highlight the close relationship we build with clients. We want them to be involved, and we want to get to know them in order to identify their needs and concerns, so that we can tailor the space to them, make them feel comfortable and ensure that every element is functional, so that the end result is practical for the client.”

Simple materials that add texture

What do you look for in materials, how do you give your projects material form, and what is the process?

“We like to work with natural materials that bring texture to a space, such as perforated brick, thin hollow brick or ceramics. They are simple, economical and versatile materials with many applications. The wall at Blau by Foodies is an example. On that surface we chose to leave the holes exposed, with the tile adhesive concealed, which gives it texture as well as the Mediterranean character the client was looking for.”

Blau by Foodies, in the old town of Sant Cugat

Blau by Foodies occupies premises on Plaça de Sant Pere, in the historic centre of Sant Cugat del Vallès. According to MCIM, the brief started from a very clear idea: the owners already had another restaurant up and running, a business with its own concept and style, and the studio created an exclusive design for these premises while keeping the Foodies atmosphere.

The result is a Mediterranean-feeling restaurant space that combines textures, materials and forms. Its elements are recognisable in the photographs: a curved volume clad in blue tiles bearing the restaurant’s name, walls of perforated ceramic pieces alternating with red pieces, a brick arch, timber beams and, in one of the dining rooms, a terracotta-toned wall with relief ceramic pieces that spell out the Blau sign.

What Matter brings to the process

In this process of giving material form, what do you value about Matter? What does it bring you? What would you highlight about your experience as a client?

“For us, Matter helps the client understand the whole architectural process. Once we are at Matter, the client opens their mind and chooses what they really want.

As professionals, we are also helped by the team of specialists at our disposal, who grasp the essence of the project and empathise with our clients. The Matter team advises us during the selection process, choosing the materials that best suit the client and the project.

For us as architects, Matter is a support. Above all, when a client is unsure about a decision, there is a wide variety of material to hand. It is a calm space where clients can take time to choose the materials that will be part of their home for life.

Matter is an additional source of knowledge and a meeting point with fellow professionals, since your events and your presence at trade fairs and industry conferences give us the chance to stay up to date, share ideas and projects and gain a broader view of the sector.”

“It is a calm space where clients can take time to choose the materials that will be part of their home for life.”

— Maria Cifuentes and Isaac Martí

MCIM at Atelier Series

Later, Isaac Martí presented Blau by Foodies again at Matter, in the Atelier Series edition devoted to restaurant spaces, alongside Sabàtic and Spark.

At Matter we support studios such as MCIM in choosing materials for residential, interior design and restaurant projects.