[ STUDIO ]

Founded in 2001, COLL-BARREU ARQUITECTOS is a Madrid and Bilbao based architecture practice working across public and private commissions.

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The office develops projects through research, design, and construction, combining technical rigor, sustainability, and cultural inquiry.

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Its work spans public and corporate buildings, restoration, health, housing, education, sport, infrastructure, and urban interventions.

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[ APPROACH ]

The studio’s approach is grounded in research, technical precision, and close attention to how architecture is built, used, and perceived.

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Projects are understood as layered systems in which structure, envelope, climate, circulation, and program work together rather than as isolated formal gestures.

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Construction is treated as part of the architectural idea itself: folds, joints, material traces, and the logic of making remain present in the finished work.

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Sustainability is approached through performance, passive environmental strategies, and durable construction.

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[ PRACTICE ]

The practice spans public, institutional, and corporate architecture, together with housing, restoration, sport, health, education, and technology-related buildings.

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A significant part of the work engages complex programs, competition frameworks, and technically demanding briefs.

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New construction and transformation are approached with the same intent: to improve performance, clarify use, and strengthen the relationship between building, site, and everyday life.

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Across typologies, the office works on public presence, interior quality, adaptability, and environmental performance.

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[ ART PRACTICE ]

Alongside his architectural work, Juan Coll-Barreu develops a parallel practice in painting. His artistic exploration across paper, canvas, and reflective polymers, and his architectural production, have been mutually essential in the formation of his visual discourse. He has studied and taught in Spain and the United States, and paints in his studio in Madrid.

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The work moves between abstraction, geometry, and figuration, often through recurring elements such as rectangles, horizontal bands, reflections, and collisions between fields of colour.

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Rather than operating as a separate discipline, painting appears here as another way of testing form, edge, proportion, intensity, and ambiguity.

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Across his practice, simple formal structures are repeatedly displaced, blurred, inverted, or made unstable, turning the image into a field of tension between order and indeterminacy.

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[ TEAM ]

[ TEAM ]

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[ RECOGNITION ]

Invited to exhibit at the Venice Biennale, 2027

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Recognized among the Best Architecture Firms in Spain by Avontuura, 2025

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Invited to exhibit at the Venice Biennale, 2024

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First Prize in Competition for Reina Sofía Museum Access and Visitor Services Renovation, Madrid, 2024

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Luxury Lifestyle Awards – Best Sustainable Renovation Apartment Worldwide for Loft I, 2024

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Recognized among the Top 100 Architecture Offices Worldwide by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, 2024

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First Prize in Competition for Bidasoa Hospital Surgical Wing Renovation, 2023

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First Prize in Competition for Galdakao-Usansolo Hospital Expansion, 2022

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Invited to exhibit at the Venice Biennale, 2019

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Recognized among the Top Architecture Firms in Spain by international media, 2019

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COAM Medal awarded to Juan Coll-Barreu, 2019

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Recognized among the Best Architecture Firms in Spain by Architectours, 2019

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First Prize in Competition for Zumarraga Hospital Expansion, 2019

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Invited to exhibit at the Venice Biennale, 2017

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Finalist at COAVN Architecture Awards for multiple projects, 2016

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WAN Glass in Architecture Award for E8 Building, 2014

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First Prize in Competition for Vega de Lamiako Master Plan, 2010

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Award at Construmat Building Awards for the Sports Centre in Bilbao, 2009

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Nomination for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, 2008

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First Prize in International Competitions for multiple buildings within Bilbao Technology Park, 2005–2007

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First Prize in International Ideas Competition for Jaca Olympic Hockey Arena, 2004

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First Prize in International Ideas Competition for Basque Health Department Headquarters, Bilbao, 2003

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First Prize in International Ideas Competition for Bilbao Hockey Arena, 2003

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First Prize in VII Spanish Young Architects Exhibition, 2002

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First Prize in International Ideas Competition for the New European Air Traffic Control Center, Madrid, 2000

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Architecture and Interior Design FAD Award for the New European Air Traffic Control Center, Madrid, 2001

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[ MONOGRAPHIC BOOKS ]

Coll-Barreu, J. y Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2014) Coll-Barreu Arquitectos. Seoul: Equal Books (Designpeak, nº 15).

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2005) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones en Erandio. Pamplona: COAVN.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2004) Edificio de Control Aéreo en Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid. Barcelona: ON Diseño.

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Artigues, R., Sanabria, R. y Coll-Barreu, J. (2004) Artigues y Sanabria Centro Cultural de Lejona. Bilbao: OHL.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2003) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones en Bilbao. Madrid: Fundación Antonio Camuñas.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2002) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones en Bilbao. Madrid: Fundación Antonio Camuñas.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2001) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones en Erandio. Pamplona: COAVN.

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[ CHAPTERS IN BOOKS ]

Coll-Barreu, J. (2026) Satellite Air Traffic Control Center. In: Premios COAM 2024. Madrid: COAM, pp. 216–220.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2015) Presentación de Juan Coll-Barreu. In: Easterling, K. and Coll-Barreu, J. Talkument Keller Easterling. Madrid: Dpa-Prints / Mairea, pp. 5–11.

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Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2015) E8 Building. In: Michler, A. and Alter, L. Hyperlocalization of Architecture. Los Angeles, CA: eVolo, pp. 154–159.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2015) Basque Health Department Headquarters. In: Michler, A. and Alter, L. Hyperlocalization of Architecture. Los Angeles, CA: eVolo, pp. 160–167.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2015) Basque Health Department Headquarters. In: Trebbi, J.-C., Genevaux, C. and Bounoure, G. Un nouvel art du pli. Paris: Éditions Alternatives, pp. 130–140.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2016) Presentation by Juan Coll-Barreu. In: Faura, R. and Coll-Barreu, J. Talkument Ramón Faura Coll. Madrid: Departamento de Proyectos Arquitectónicos, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid UPM, pp. 5–11.

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Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2016) Casa de los policías + Casa de los bomberos + Torre texturizada. In: Premios de Arquitectura COAVN 2016 / 2016ko EHAEO Arkitektura Sariak. Bilbao: COAVN, pp. 69–74, 205.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2016) Basque Health Department. In: Marín Vega, C. and Romero, M. (eds.) Mies Award. Atlas. European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture Mies van der Rohe Award 1988–2015. Barcelona: Fundació Mies van der Rohe, p. 448 ff.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2017) El plegado como exploración de nuevas percepciones del espacio. Coll-Barreu, España. In: Trebbi, J.-C., Genevaux, C. and Bounoure, G. El arte del plegado, vol. 2. Barcelona: Promopress, pp. 136–137.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2017) Folding to explore new perceptions of space. Coll-Barreu Spain. In: Trebbi, J.-C., Genevaux, C. and Bounoure, G. The Art of Folding, vol. 2. Barcelona: Promopress, pp. 136–137.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2014) Basque Health Department Headquarters. In: Ballard Bell, V. and Rand, P. Materials for Design 2. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, pp. 16–20.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2014) Coll-Barreu Arquitectos Spain Firemen House. In: Architecture Highlights 7. Hong Kong: Shanglin, pp. 232–235.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2014) Coll-Barreu Arquitectos Spain Policemen House. In: Architecture Highlights 7. Hong Kong: Shanglin, pp. 236–241.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2012) E8 Building. In: Materials in Architecture: Concrete, Glass, Steel, Stone, Wood. Berkeley, CA: Gingko Press, pp. 92–95.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2012) E8 Building. In: Innovative Material Applications, Unique Architectural Expressions. China: Sandu, pp. 92–95.

Coll-Barreu, J. (2012) …Is Coming to Town. In: Atlas D. Madrid: UPM ETSAM DPA / Mairea Libros.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2012) Software and Biotechnology Plants. In: Office Headquarters, Vol. 1. Shenzhen: Dalian University Technology Press, pp. 172–177.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2012) E8 Building Coll-Barreu Arquitectos. In: Office Headquarters, Vol. 1. Shenzhen: Dalian University Technology Press, pp. 208–219.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2012) Basque Health Department Headquarters. In: Office Headquarters, Vol. 2. Shenzhen: Dalian University Technology Press, pp. 62–79.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2012) World Trade Center 2, Philippe Petit, World Trade Center 1. In: Bergara Serrano, I. and Sánchez Lampreave, R. (eds.) La ilusión de la luz: Arquitecturas y Fotografías del siglo XX. Madrid: Lampreave, pp. 36–37.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2011) Basque Health Department Headquarters. In: McLeod, V. (ed.) Detail in Contemporary Glass Architecture. London: Laurence King Publishing, pp. 166–169.

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Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2011) Building skin & details: Health Department Headquarters. In: Gao, A. (ed.) Building Skin & Details. Hong Kong: Design Media.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2010) Health Department HQ in Bilbao. Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Spain. In: Conceptual Architecture. Berkeley, CA: Gingko Press, pp. 190–193.

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Coll-Barreu, J., Frechilla, J., López Peláez, J.M., Martínez, L., Mera, J., Vegas, H. and González, I. (2009) Madrid Marseille. In: Madrid Marsella. Madrid: Mairea Libros.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2009) Polideportivo de La Peña, piscine couverte y garaje para residentes, Bilbao, Vizcaya 2002–2006. In: Gibert Trueba, L.M. (ed.) Arquitectura Deportiva. Madrid: Munilla Lería, pp. 86–93.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2009) Pabellón de Hielo de la Ciudad de Jaca, Huesca, 200?–2007. In: Gibert Trueba, L.M. (ed.) Arquitectura Deportiva. Madrid: Munilla Lería, pp. 170–177.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2007) El nuevo Pabellón de Hielo de Jaca / The New Ice Rink in Jaca. In: Jaca07 VIII Festival Olímpico de Invierno de la Juventud Europea / VIII European Youth Olympic Winter Festival. Jaca: Fundación Jaca 2007, pp. 118–131.

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Coll-Barreu Arquitectos, Coll-Barreu, J. and Gutiérrez Zarza, D. (2007) La Peña Sports Pavillion in Bilbao. In: Spain Architects, Arquitectura Singular, Works, 1. Barcelona: MP Manel Padura, pp. 88–111.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2006) Fragmento y continuidad en el Parlamento de Escocia y el Mercado de Santa Catalina. In: EMBT Miralles-Tagliablue. Pamplona: T6, pp. 3–7.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2006) The Concrete Life of Everyone. Modernity and Moral Impact on the Postwar American Architecture: two Houses. In: The North American Architecture, Motor and Mirror of Spanish Architecture in the Boot of Modernity (1940–1965). Pamplona: T6, pp. 19–38.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2005) Sede de Osakidetza. Juan Coll-Barreu. In: Bilbao la transformación. Bilbao: Arketypo / Bilbao City Council, pp. 128–129.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2005) Edificio de Oficinas y Laboratorios en Erandio. Juan Coll-Barreu. In: Premios COAVN de Arquitectura 2005. Pamplona: COAVN Awards 1930–2005, pp. 20–21, 56–57.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2005) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones en Erandio. Juan Coll-Barreu. In: Awards COAVN of Architecture 2005. Pamplona: COAVN Premios 1930–2005, pp. 8–9, 184–185.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2005) Edificio de oficinas y laboratorios, Erandio, Vizcaya. 1997–2003. In: Arquitectura de Oficinas. Madrid: Munilla-Lería, pp. 18–25.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2005) Edificio de Control Aéreo por Satélite, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid. 1999–2003. In: Arquitectura de Oficinas. Madrid: Munilla-Lería, pp. 26–35.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2005) Centro de control aéreo por satélite en Madrid. In: Premios de Arquitectura Piedra 2004. Madrid: Federación Española de la Piedra Natural, p. 48.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2005) Edificio de oficinas y laboratorios en Bilbao. In: Premios de Arquitectura Piedra 2004. Madrid: Federación Española de la Piedra Natural, p. 73.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2004) Edificio de Control Aéreo en Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid. En: Anuario 2004 de arquitectura ibérica. Barcelona: ON Diseño, p. 17.

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Artigues, R., Sanabria, R. y Coll-Barreu, J. (2004) Quince años. En: Artigues y Sanabria. Centro Cultural de Lejona. Bilbao: OHL, pp. 18–23.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2003) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones en Bilbao. En: Muestra de muestras. Líneas maestras de la joven arquitectura española 1990–2002. Madrid: Fundación Antonio Camuñas, pp. 143–150.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2002) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones en Bilbao. En: 7ª Muestra de Arquitectos Jóvenes Españoles 2002. Madrid: Fundación Antonio Camuñas, pp. 3–11.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2001) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones en Erandio. En: Premios COAVN de Arquitectura 2001. Pamplona: COAVN.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2001) Central de Operación Policial en Oyarzun, Guipúzcoa. En: Premios COAVN de Arquitectura 2001. Pamplona: COAVN, pp. 8, 13, 78–81.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2001) Centro de Proceso de Datos y Comunicaciones, Erandio, Vizcaya. En: Premis FAD ARQ-INFAD Arquitectura Interiorisme. Barcelona: ON Diseño, pp. 62–65.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2000) Orans House and Los Angeles in the 30s: an American Contemporary Introduction to the 50s and the Revision of Modernity. En: Los años 50: la arquitectura española y su compromiso con la historia. Pamplona: T6, pp. 209–239.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2000) Vivienda máxima ejemplo a (apilable) / ejemplo n (no apilable). En: Frechilla, J. y López-Peláez, J.M. (eds.) Con 1 (Convocatoria), Vol. 3: Vínculos al cuerpo y los objetos. Madrid: Fundación Cultural COAM, pp. 10–13.

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Coll-Barreu, J. (2000) Portfolio de obras. En: Con 1 (Convocatoria), Vol. 3: Vínculos al cuerpo y los objetos. Madrid: Fundación Cultural COAM, p. 55.

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[ FORMER COLLABORATORS ]

Over time, the studio has operated through an extended network of collaborators. Architects, designers, and other contributors have taken part in different projects, bringing specific expertise and perspectives to the work.

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Aian Giménez Azurmendi, Aitor Aguirrebiria de la Se, Aitor Bidaguren Pujana, Alba Mulero Manzanero, Alberto santos del Mazo, Aldair Flores Macías, Alejandro Jesús Ibañez, Álvaro Ceballos García, Álvaro Del Río Arrizabalaga, Ana Chicón Fernández del Moral, Andere Rodríguez Rodríguez, Andrés Tabera Roldán, Andrés Ugarte Miota, Arturo Moreno Latorre, Beatriz Anunciación Diago García, Bernd Nitsch, Borja Arostegui Prado, Carlos Estévez García, César Cebrian Ballesteros, César Daniel Peña del Rey, Clara Antoñana Ugalde, Cristina Casado Alonso, Cristina Llamas Escribano, Daniel Arizaleta Armisen, Daniel Prieto Rodríguez, Eduardo Pérez Prado, Eduardo Sola Beperet, Egoy Bardot, Elena López Jara, Emilio Pardo Rivacoba, Estíbaliz Sanz Reyero, Félix González García, Fernanda Rivero Romano, Fernando De La Maza Basaldua, Fernando Delecea Zabaleta, Francisco García Cruz, Gaston K Dehal, Gorka García Laza, Hamidreza Babaeyan Ahamdi, Hernán González Alonso, Ignacio Vences Rodríguez, Ismael Medina Manzano, Jaime Duran Bosch, Javier Díez Robles, João Martins Pereira de Sousa, Joel Salamero Serrano, Jone Moragues Olabarria, Jorge Alejandro Gloria Coca, Jorge Andrés Lescano Melendez, Jorge Andrés Lescano Meléndez, Jorge Bilbao Barinaga, Jorge García López, José Rodríguez-Losada Torres, Katia Lesczcynska, Lucas Cerda Ramoneda, Luciano Gabriel Gregorietti, Luigi Ulisse Vázquez, Maite Roca Fernández, Manuel Melchor Amate Blaya, Marcos Martín Carrión, María Fernández Benito, Markel Salvador Miangolarra, Marta Pérez de Albéniz Azqueta, Martín Pesantes Almeida, Naiara Valderrama Rodírguez, Oscar Arroita Fernández, Pablo Castro López, Pablo Elosua, Pablo Ortíz González, Rubén Cabanillas Ramos, Teresa Cañizares Moscato, Tomás Cuesta Reyes, Valero Daniel Duarte Fernández, Xabier Aparicio Ortega.

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