PORTFOLIO 2024

Simón Abad Architecture portfolio

Simón Abad (Verona, 1990)

Architect, M.Arch in construction and innovation.

After completing my studies at Turin Polytechnic, Escola da Cidade (São Paulo), and later at ETSAB in Barcelona, I have cultivated my career across South America and Europe, exploring diverse architectural scales that blend low-tech solutions with innovations and emerging technologies.

This professional journey has afforded me the opportunity to deeply understand and appreciate materiality and processes: I have more than 6 years experience working on BIM methodology applied to institutional proyects, retail and hospitality, as well as a personal product design brand focused on lighting design.

Being raised between two worlds has instilled in me a commitment to approaching projects with a perspective that values identity and seeks a coherent narrative for spaces, construction processes, and materials.

For this reason, my design approach is founded on three pillars: multidisciplinary research, efficient design processes, and coherent project narrative.

2022-2024

Märzo Studio (Valencia, Spain / München, Germany)

BIM & interior design architect

In charge of Revit and BIM coordination, 3d modeling & construction details (LOD500). Leading interior design architect in all the ongoing projects in the studio. Projects executed in Germany, Spain and Uruguay.

maerzostudio.com

2020-2022

Interno (Medellín, Colombia)

Senior architect

Led the design and on-site monitoring of hospitality, retail, and housing projects. Served as the coordinator for a multidisciplinary team with expertise in interior design. Responsibilities included conducting trend and material research, presenting projects to clients, managing suppliers, and meticulously developing architecture and furniture plans following the BIM methodology. Successfully executed projects in diverse locations, including Medellín, Bogotá, and Miami.

behance.net/interno

2019-2022

Plano Diáfano (Medellín, Colombia)

Architect & co-founder

Directed the design and development of furniture and lighting while simultaneously serving as the lead architect for interior design and architecture projects. Overseeing the commercial and financial aspects of the studio, I managed production, supervised interior design projects, and provided art direction for product photography.

Planodiafano.com

2017-2019

Antropica (Medellín, Colombia)

Junior architect & BIM coordinator

In charge of design in Revit and BIM coordination, 3d modeling & construction details.

Throughout the 2 years in the studio I worked hand in hand with the technical team, the clients as well as with the suppliers and contractors.

antropica.co

2013-2014

Urbam Eafit: center for urban & environmental studies (Medellín, Colombia)

Junior architect & researcher

Served as research architect for the “Rehabitar la Montaña” project in collaboration with Liebniz Universität Hannover. I managed different tasks, including extensive research, on-site visits for data collection, plan development, infographic creation, and editorial graphic design. Contributed to the project’s comprehensive approach by synthesizing research findings into visually compelling and informative materials.

https://www.eafit.edu.co/urbam

https://www.eafit.edu.co/centros/urbam/articulos-publicaciones/Paginas/re-habitar-la-montana-publicacion.aspx

Education

2014-2016

ETSAB, Barcelona

Master in Architecture Technology (MUTA), construction and technological innovation.

2016

Fundació CIM, Barcelona Autodesk Revit certificate

2014

2010-2013

Escola da Cidade, São Paulo, Brasil Academic exchange

Politecnico di Torino, Italia

Bachelor degree in Architecture and Urbanism

Languages

Spanish: native language

Portuguese: advanced (C2)

Italian: native language

English: professional (C1 IELTS)

German: Upper beginner (A2) French: Upper beginner (A2)

Skills

Professional competencies

Coordination & project management + BIM coordination

Research & text writing

Product design development

2D & 3D

Drawing: Revit, Autocad, Vectorworks.

Visual: Vray, Twinmotion.

Manual: watercolor, graphite, architectural models.

Editing & post-production

Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign

Märzo Studio

Workspace architecture design, interior design

Pages: 6-9

Interno Architecture, interior design, retail & hospitality.

Pages: 10-23

Plano Diáfano

Product design, architecture, interior design

Pages: 24-31

Estudio transversal Architecture, interior design, BIM coordination.

Pages: 32-40

MÄRZO STUDIO

2022-2024

ROLE & FUNCTIONS

Märzo is an architecture firm specialized in Workspace & Commercial design based in Valencia (Spain) that works mostly for the german market.

My main functions were:

1-Interior design research & planning

I oversaw the development of interior design, encompassing initial research and mood board creation, culminating in the definition of each element, maintaining close collaboration with suppliers throughout the process.

2-BIM model coordination

I led the development of architectural models in Revit, achieving a LOD 500 standard. Additionally, I managed their integration with structural models, electrical systems, and air and water installations for comprehensive coordination.

3. Modular housing developments

I was in charge of the design of a new studio branch focusing on modular wooden retreats for construction in Uruguay. We partnered with Theurl, a renowned Austrian timber producer, to develop a modular system using glulam and CLT panels.

Modular houses in José Ignacio, Maldonado, Uruguay

MÄRZO STUDIO

2022-2024

Workspace: Besucherzentrum Wolf Mainburg, Germany

The Wolf Visitor Center embodies a fusion of old and new functions within an innovative building, showcasing the renowned heating systems brand, Wolf GmbH.

Designed to offer an engaging brand experience, it integrates Wolf’s products with Bavarian culture and sustainability through energy-efficient architecture.

Opening its doors to the public in 2025, this center symbolizes Wolf’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cultural harmony.

MÄRZO STUDIO

2022-2024

Construction innovations

This project represents a significant leap in construction methods. It’s pioneering the use of the Linder Eco-N hybrid prefabricated façade, made of structural timber and aluminum, combining cost-effectiveness with sustainability.

The heating system is equally innovative, using a mix of thermal, geothermal, and solar energy to power the radiant and lamella ceiling heating, ensuring warmth in an environmentally conscious manner.

In line with sustainability, the project incorporates passive house strategies. For instance, it features an extensive green roof for water retention, natural ventilation, and ample natural light through a central atrium. Additionally, it optimizes water usage by reusing the resources from an existing lake nearby.

MÄRZO STUDIO

2022-2024

Interior design

The interior spaces of the project were designed in harmony with the facade’s materiality, contrasting with the exposed concrete interior structure.

The interior aesthetic diverges from Wolf’s established corporate language, introducing elements of warmth through the integration of local wood and sound-absorbing materials.

This approach is aimed at cultivating an ecosystem of spaces that foster a continual dialogue between innovation and tradition.

These choices highlight the company’s products and contribute to the enhancement of the workspace.

2020-2022

ROLE & FUNCTIONS

Interno is an architecture firm based in Medellin, Colombia, specializing in interior design and conceptualization, operating both nationally and internationally.

The studio is distinguished by its ability to create spaces with distinctive identity, encompassing the entire process from conceptualization to the meticulous design of each furniture element.

We maintain a close collaborative synergy with Invade Design, our sister company specializing in brand strategy and the design facets of numerous retail and hospitality ventures.

As the coordinator of a diverse team comprising architects and industrial designers, our focus was on formulating a methodology tailored for interior design, leveraging the expertise in Revit and BIM methodology as our fundamental framework.

My role as a senior architect encompassed:

1- Research of identity and materiality

2- Coordination of projects in Revit

3- Supplier research & management

4- Detailed development of architecture and furniture plans

5- Project work monitoring

Hospitality: Chef burger

Medellín, Bogotá, Miami

Chef Burger stands as one of Colombia’s premier artisanal hamburger chains, boasting over 25 locations across the country and the USA.

During my tenure at Interno, collaborating closely with Invade Design, I contributed to the conceptualization and execution of both the brand and architectural identity for Chef Burger.

As the lead of the architectural design team, we collaborated extensively with the clients and their team, devising a design framework centered on upholding a consistent brand identity across all restaurants while ensuring a diverse range.

This was achieved through the creation of tailored finishes, furniture, and lighting exclusively crafted for their establishments.

Over the span of 2020 to 2022, our team spearheaded the design of six new restaurants, all developed through the application of BIM methodology within interior design.

INTERNO

REEAL

2020-2022

2020-2022

MANUFACTURING DETAILS

Chef burger: dettagli per la fabbricazione

Desarrollo del proyecto en revit hasta un nivel de detalle LOD 500

Mobiliario & iluminación desarrollados a medida

Tailor made furniture & lighting

2020-2022

2020-2022

Hospitality: Ely Café

Ely Café, a young project specializing in gourmet coffee and brunch, has three locations in Cartagena, the country’s bustling tourist and gastronomic center. They’re currently expanding their restaurant network across the country.

We were tasked with refreshing the architectural identity of their new Medellin restaurant to resonate with the local audience.

The result is a modern restaurant with classic elements typical of the brand: a blend of marble, walnut wood, blue leather, and Thonet chairs.

The lighting design plays a crucial role in creating a cozy atmosphere. Soft, warm lighting fixtures are strategically placed to cast a gentle glow, enhancing the intimate and welcoming ambiance of the space.

The lighting also highlights key features and areas of interest, creating focal points within the café.

In terms of layout, the seating area is thoughtfully arranged to provide cozy nooks for relaxation, while also allowing for larger communal tables to encourage social interactions.

2020-2022

Housing: Casa Primavera

The clients wanted a house designed to enjoy the subtropical climate, where it is possible to have large common spaces open to the outside throughout the year.

The result is a diaphanous and warm house at the same time: neutral materials such as pigmented polished concrete, oak wood and colombian natural fabrics complement each other to generate a series of intimate and welcoming environments.

2020-2022

We conceived the project in two bodies that communicate with each other, confined by large walls made of pressed earth that generate private patios.

INTERNO

2020-2022

Casa Primavera: fist floor

2020-2022

Other built projects: GENERAL coffee

Other built projects: Thai

PLANO DIÁFANO ESTUDIO

2019-2022

ROLE & FUNCTIONS

Plano Diáfano is an interdisciplinary design studio that develops collections of lighting, furniture and accessories, as well as interior architecture.

When it comes to materializing the ideas, we seek to unite the artisanal techniques of the local trade with high-tech industrial processes, carefully choosing the best materials and finishes, always taking into account their sustainability.

My main functions as a founding partner were:

1- Architectural design & interior design

Architect in charge of interior design and architecture projects: search for clients, design, budget and supplier management, construction supervision.

2- Commercial and financial management of the study

3- Product design and development

Development of lighting and furniture collections, custom furniture design, production supervision and search for suppliers, art direction and product photography.

PLANO DIÁFANO ESTUDIO

2019-2022

Product design: Segmento collection

We wanted a lamp for confined spaces such as tables, desks, beds.

A lamp that would allow an intimate conversation as well as reading and work. A diffused light that will avoid glare and with the possibility of directing it.

Considering light as a sphere of emission, we wanted the lampshade to be as a plane that cuts, letting a fraction of light pass through, like a window that can be twisted, opened (turned on) or closed (turned off).

The light source in consequence becomes a half circle that has the possibility of rotating on its own axis, where the LED is arranged in such a way that it gives a homogeneous light throughout the figure.

Sheet steel was chosen for the lampshade and solid oak for the base and containment of the electrical system. Both materials are nationally manufactured and produced by local labor.

2019-2022

Prototyping

The challenge was to achieve a mechanism that allows the lampshade to rotate in a simple and stable way, which is the same for the different typologies.

After conducting several tests, we found the balance between the weight of the lampshade and the size of the screw head, so that the lampshade maintains its position over time after a manual adjustment that does not require much strength.

PLANO DIÁFANO ESTUDIO

2019-2022

Design adjustment

Once the lampshade entered in an advanced stage of development, we wanted to adapt the design to different typologies (wall, table and floor), incorporating a smaller lampshade size.

We added the metal U-shaped component that works as a connecting bridge between the lampshade and the wooden base, to achieve a change of plane of use.

PLANO DIÁFANO ESTUDIO

2019-2022

Installation

Different prototypes of wall fastening elements were made until a system of embedded pieces was reached: one is fixed to the wall by means of screws and is what gives the height and position of the lamp; the other comes already installed on the base.

The one on the base fits into the one on the wall and both are secured by a screw located at the top of the base.

PLANO DIÁFANO ESTUDIO

2019-2022

Housing: Casa SV

Project under construction

The house is designed as a retreat at the forest’s edge, situated in a transitional space between the high-altitude native forest (2,500 meters above sea level) and Santa Elena’s rural area.

This unique location defines the project: every space, whether part of the living area or the private section, offers a visual connection with its surroundings.

We proposed a single-level house, constructed with a light metal structure and dry partitions to streamline construction in a terrain with challenging access, aiming to optimize construction duration.

2019-2022

2017-2019

ROLE & FUNCTIONS

In the studio I was in charge of developing for two years the project of the New School of Sciences of the Eafit University, the largest private university institution in Medellín.

The project is a 14,000 m2 building made up of 11 levels with 53 laboratories from 4 departments (biology, physics, geology and mathematics): it was designed to respond to the specific demands of each laboratory, as well as the necessary technical requirements.

My main functions within a team of 4 people were:

1-BIM model coordination

I was in charge of developing the architectural model in Revit for a LOD 500 as well as its coordination with the structural models, electrical installations, air and water.

2-Complete development of the interior design

Interior design of the building from shared research with teachers of each discipline (4 science departments) to the detailed definition of each element of furniture by the suppliers.

3-Constructive details:

Definition in Revit and Autocad of the construction details of the laboratories and classrooms as well as the spaces integrated into the façade system (meeting rooms, rest rooms, bathrooms and cafeterias).

4- Follow-up on site:

Active participation in the construction committee as well as the review of the progress in the construction during a period of 1 year.

2017-2019

The concept: a building of concentric rings

From a basic idea that we call ¨science in sight¨, we wanted all the activities of the laboratories to be visible from the circulation.

Therefore, all the laboratories and technical facilities were unified in a first ring (1), to later organize the other programmatic elements. The second ring (2) is the circulation perimeter, which communicates and connects all the laboratories.

The third ring (3) is a void, also perimeter, where the vertical elements appear (elevators and stairs) as well as a series of complementary elements such as meeting and rest rooms. The last ring (4) is the façade, which embraces and completes the building.

The campus has been built under the concept of a university-park, so the project was integrated into this philosophy from the beginning, both in the architectural design and in the implementation on the ground floor.

The main access to the project is through a park integrated directly into the ground floor of the New School of Sciences.

3-Circolazone verticale

4-Fa-

CIENCE BUILDING EAFIT UNIVERSITY

2017-2019

The ground floor: a covered tropical agora

We decided to generate a free ground floor, a large covered agora on a double height of 8 meters.

The topographical condition makes it necessary to overcome a difference in level of 3 meters, therefore a sloping plaza was proposed, where the ramps connect a series of stepped terraces with various uses (meeting, study, open-air classrooms).

Vertical gardens grow in the central columns of the space, thus taking advantage of the climatic characteristics of Medellin and integrating the meeting space and access to the campus-garden.

4 terraces to overcome the gap

Ground floor in process

2017-2019

Internal core of the building: distribution

The building was designed according to an orderly scheme that is repeated on 8 of its 11 levels: the inner core brings together the technical area in an accessible corridor, optimizing its use to the maximum and leaving room for future expansion.

Once the technical nucleus was resolved, the laboratories and classrooms were conceived around it, and the offices of the professors are located on the south façade at all levels.

CIENCE BUILDING EAFIT UNIVERSITY

2017-2019

Interior design

Throughout the two years of development of the project, being in charge of the interior design of the building, 53 laboratories were designed in detail according to the specific requirements of each department, as well as common spaces and offices. The entire process was carried out coordinating the project in Revit both with the suppliers and with the other professionals involved in the work.

Cross-section of the building

Professor offices

Laboratories

CIENCE BUILDING EAFIT UNIVERSITY

2017-2019

Façade system

The building’s façade operates as a sophisticated system comprising three distinct layers: a metallic diagrid structure, NBK ceramic cladding, and a 3-meter void.

The climatic conditions in Medellin allow for the exclusive reliance on natural ventilation.To address this requirement, the façade incorporates a strategically designed void. This void serves a dual purpose: safeguarding the corridor and laboratories from rain and excessive radiation, while simultaneously facilitating vertical circulation. Along the building’s perimeter, this design accommodates essential areas such as bathrooms, terraces, and meeting rooms (refer to Images 1 and 2 on the following page).

System components: diagrid, NBK coating, 3 meter void

2017-2019

Prefabricated facade modules before installation

Image 2: Meeting room for professors

Image 1: Terraces integrated into the façade system

2017-2019

Façade structure in process(2021)