Architecture photographer Marc Goodwin has shared photos of architecture studios in Madrid taken just before the country went into lockdown along with messages from the studios now.
Goodwin, founder of photography studio Archmospheres, has been travelling around the world documenting architecture studios, from Istanbul to Shanghai, Mexico City to Paris.
His latest collection focused on Madrid, where offices including OOIIO Architecture, Andrés Jaque and Langarita Navarro Arwuitectos are based. In total, Goodwin shot 17 studios in the Spanish capital.
However, as he finalised the series, coronavirus hit Europe and Spain went into lockdown on 14 March. The country has implemented some of Europe’s toughest containment measures, and restrictions are due to remain in place through May and June.
“Madrid is apparently a ghost town at the moment, which is hard to imagine,” said Goodwin, meaning his photographs of architects working together in their offices are of a world that currently does not exist.
Goodwin got back in touch with the studios whose offices he’d already photographed and asked them to share how they’ve adapted to the new normal of working from home.
“I think it might also help a lot of readers to feel better,” Goodwin told Dezeen. “This is very hard on all of us.”
Scroll down to see 17 Madrid studios before coronavirus, along with updates from some of them:
In this space since: 2013
Number of employees: 11
Building’s former use: mix of offices housing
In this space since: 2007
Number of employees: seven
Building’s former use: art and architecture studios
Morph Estudio
In this space since: 2017
Number of employees: 120
Building’s former use: office building
“The situation in Madrid is very, very, very serious,” said Morph Estudio director César Frías Enciso. “After the construction market had begun to recover from the last financial crash, the coronavirus has brought it to a halt.”
“There are not many positive conclusions from this situation,” he added. We are learning to work separated. Of course, we are more prepared for next time. The next medical crisis, I think we are going to act quicker.”
Watch César Frías Enciso’s message below:
In this space since: 2005
Number of employees: five
Building’s former use: housing and shops
In this space since: 2018
Number of employees: six
Building’s former use: tailor’s atelier
Estudio Herreros
In this space since: 5.5 years
Number of employees: 20
Building’s former use: designed in 1958 as a residential block by the architect Secundino Zuazo
“The most important thing is to maintain the connection of the team,” said studio co-founder Juan Herreros. “To feel that they have this sense of belonging to a group with a common project.”
Estudio Herroros has also started a joint endeavour called Re-Visit on their Instagram, to share sketches of former projects with colleagues and friends.
“For us, this change has been a surprising and positive way to learn about new ways to collaboratively work in the team,” added co-founder Jens Richter.
Watch Herreros and Richter’s message below:
L35 Arquitectos
In this space since: 1993
Number of employees: 60
Building’s former use: modelling agency, office of Segundamano, residences
Pedro Pitarch
In this space since: December 2019
Number of employees: three
Building’s former use: residential
In this space since: 2016
Number of employees: 10
Building’s former use: abandoned space
“We are constantly worried and trying to understand what’s happening,” said OOIIO Architecture founder Joaquín Millán Villamuelas. “The entire studio is empty, the entire studio is working at home.”
“Everyone is trying to do their best to be productive and get the work done – with their pyjamas on their sofa,” he added.
“We are creative people, and this is another challenge. Let’s face this new crisis.”
Watch Villamuelas’ message below:
Estudio Gonzalo del Val, Studio Animal and Toni Gelabert
In this space since: 2015, 2018 and 2020
Number of employees: two each
Building’s former use: residential
In this space since: 2014
Number of employees: five
Building’s former use: housing
Estudio Lamela
In this space since: 2008
Number of employees: 61 in this space, 86 in total
Building’s former use: built by the studio in 2008
“We have taken our computers home, which makes working from home as if we were in the office – only avoiding rush hour,” said Estudio Lamela architect María Chocarro.
“We also are in constant contact with our colleagues through an internal chat,” she added. “We also video chat a lot, which is quite funny because you get to see the private environments and houses of your colleagues and bosses, making us all more human in a way.”
Watch María Chocarro’s message below:
In this space since: 2009
Number of employees: 10
Building’s former use: office
In this space since: 2010
Number of employees: 12
Building’s former use: archive of Ocaso insurance company
In this space since: 2002
Number of employees: 10
Building’s former use: residential
“This coronavirus lockdown is going to be an opportunity to change how a studio of architecture works,” said Estudio Entresitio co-founder César Jiménez de Tejada Benavides.
“The change was already happening,” added co-founder María Hurtado de Mendoza Wahrolén. “It’s a weird way, calling the virus an opportunity, but now we have to go for it,” she added.
“Technology, society, and we as an office were ready to take this challenge.”
Watch Estudio Entresitio’s message below:
In this space since: 2015
Number of employees: seven
Building’s former use: office and residential building
b720 Fermín Vázquez Arquitectos
In this space since: 2008
Number of employees: 50
Building’s former use: diabetes clinic
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