An Encounter to Celebrate Architecture that Inspires Emotion
On November 4th, the Official College of Architects of Madrid (COAM) hosted the presentation of The Essence of Contemporary Mediterranean Living, a book that brings together eleven homes designed by Ramón Esteve. The publication reflects over three decades of work dedicated to creating spaces where light, material, and landscape come together in harmony.
The event was introduced by architect Carlos Lamela, president of Estudio Lamela, and moderated by journalist Maite Sebastiá, Editorial Content Director at AD España. It gathered professionals, collaborators, and cultural figures in a relaxed atmosphere that encouraged conversation around architecture as a lived and emotional experience.
"A work that belongs to the place, the climate, and the emotion it evokes"
In his opening remarks, Carlos Lamela highlighted the significance of Esteve's contribution to contemporary architecture and the consistent vision throughout his career. "I was struck by the clarity with which he uses just four materials—stone, concrete, steel, and wood—to create spaces of exceptional beauty. That economy of means, so difficult to achieve, is what makes his architecture truly authentic."
Lamela also reflected on the value of residential architecture as a space for innovation: "The house, though a smaller format, has always been essential in the history of architecture. The eleven houses in this book are proof of that—a lesson in balance between structure, landscape, and interior."
Photos by Alfonso Calza.
A Conversation on the Essence of Living
The dialogue between Maite Sebastiá and Ramón Esteve explored the underlying sensibility and ideas behind his work. Sebastiá observed how the architect "has managed to adapt classical concepts such as harmony and serenity into a contemporary language," and how his architecture "transcends the visual to become a multisensory experience."
Esteve described his creative process as one that "is born from emotion—from an intuition linked to place or to light—yet that emotion requires reason to take shape. Architecture," he added, "is a constant search for balance between technique and feeling, between the tangible and the intangible."
Ramón Esteve also emphasized the importance of material authenticity: "Things must be what they are, not what they appear to be. Beauty arises from constructive truth." Speaking on the relationship between architecture and landscape, he quoted Frank Lloyd Wright: "Architecture should not be on the hill, but of the hill. The house and the place must coexist, enhancing each other."
Photos by Alfonso Calza.
The Mediterranean as a Way of Life
When asked about the meaning behind the book's title, Esteve responded: "The Mediterranean is not a style; it is a way of living. It represents thousands of years of culture, of light, of coexistence with nature. That heritage has become a way of inhabiting the world that is now recognized everywhere."
The event concluded with an open discussion, touching on recurring themes in Esteve's work such as light, material honesty, and the pursuit of serenity.
Architecture That Transcends Matter
With The Essence of Contemporary Mediterranean Living, Ramón Esteve reaffirms his dedication to an architecture that moves people—essential, honest, and timeless. A practice deeply rooted in place, committed to building balance and beauty, and offering from Valencia a contemporary vision of the Mediterranean spirit.
The Essence of Contemporary Mediterranean Living is available now at Beta-Plus Publishing website.
