Archinect
Francesc De Fuentes

Francesc De Fuentes

Barcelona, ES

 

About 

I am currently living in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where for the last three and a half years I have been the Managing Director of b720 Arquitetos Brasil. Until this moment, my career has been based on a continuing progression within the field of architecture and construction, in full commitment to the companies and projects on which I worked and in recognition of my capacity to adapt to new professional environments in many different countries.

As a licensed architect by the Institute of Architects of Catalonia (COAC), a graduate in Architecture and Planning for the ETSAB at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, and a Master of Science in Architectural Advanced design at the GSAPP of Columbia University in New York, I started my career as a design architect and have progressed to increasing levels and positions of responsibility within project teams. I have designed, managed, and executed increasingly complex projects of in a variety of urban scales that I have followed from concept design through construction documentation and site supervision.

With 17 years experience as an architect, project manager and regional managing director, I have spent the last 10 years at b720 Arquitectos where I was presented the opportunity and responsibility to open and develop an office in Brazil that has afforded me valuable business experience. Throughout my career, I have chose challenging projects and positions that involved relocation and the study of different architectural methodologies and paradigms –first in Dublin, then in New York, next in Barcelona and currently in Sao Paolo. All of these experiences have made me a better architect and a better manager and leader.

Employment 

b720 Arquitetura Brasil, São Paulo, BR, MANAGING DIRECTOR

Responsibilities:
To set up a new office and to manage the start up activities of the company in Brazil. To establish a business plan. To make a Market analysis together with Commercial management and Business Development. Lead contract negotiations and to coordinate production teams from the different offices of the company both in Brazil and in Spain.

Performance:
To date the company in Brazil has achieved recognition in the national market as a provider of architectural and engineer services of high quality for innovative building and planning projects of diverse kinds and programs.

Projects data:
RESIDENTIAL
Total built area: 37.000 sqms / Location: Saõ Paulo / Clients: Huma Desenvolvimento Imobiliário, GR properties., ERC Desenvolvimento Imobiliário, Idea Zarvos Incorpora.
COMMERCIAL
Total built area: 28.000 sqms / Location: Saõ Paulo and Campinas / Clients: Idea Zarvos Incorpora, Brookfield Incorporacões.
MIXED-USE COMPLEXES
Total built area: 550.000 sqms / Location: Porto Alegre and São Paulo / Clients: Cais Maua do Brasil S.A., Companhia Siderurgica Nacional.
URBAN PLANNIG
Total area: 610 ha / Location: Porto Alegre, São Jose de Rio Preto and Brasilia / Clients: Cia City, Brookfield Desenvolvimento Imobiliário, Grupo Zaffari.

Oct 2010 - current
 

b720 Arquitectura, Barcelona, ES, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Responsibilities:
To supervise and verify the work of the team of architects and engineers to develop the project from schematics, to planing permission drawings and construction package. Establish and manage the project and construction schedule. Responsible for the control cost during project phase and construction of a singular building with engineering challenge of the 8.000 sqms metal roof structure.

Performance:
To reach a completion of a new land mark for the city of Barcelona, on time and budget and the satisfaction of the operators of the facility.

Project data:
NOU MERCAT DELS ENCANTS
Type: shopping center / Total built area: 40.000 sqms / Location: Barcelona / Clients: Barcelona City Council/ Budget: 52.659.814 € / Project schedule: 9 months / Construction schedule: 2,5 years / Contractor: phase 1 - Dragados, phase 2 - OHL.

Jun 2009 - Sep 2010
 

b720 Arquitectura + David Chipperfield Architects, Barcelona, ES, PROJECT MANAGER

Responsibilities:
To Coordinate and manage a team of over 60 architects and engineers to develop the project from schematics, to planing permission drawings and construction package. Responsible for the site supervision with a team of 20 architects and engineers. Establish and manage the project and construction schedule. Responsible for the control cost during project phase and construction of such big an complex facility.

Performance:
To complete the construction on time and budget of an international awarded building, dealing with the requirements of the public operator and the needs of the contractor, which was at the same time the concessionary of the facility for 30 years.

Project data:
CITY OF JUSTICE
Type: Judiciary public facilities, private office buildings and social housing / Total built area: 232.369 sqms / Location: Barcelona / Clients: Regional Government of Catalonia / Budget: 255.268.611 € / Project schedule: 2 years / Construction schedule: 3 years and 10 months / Contractor: Joint Venture (FCC, Ferrovial. OHL, Compsa, Emte).

Aug 2003 - Jun 2009
 

Varis Arquitectes SL, Barcelona, ES, PROJECT DIRECTOR

Responsibilities:
To lead and coordinate a team of planners, architects, engineers, special Effects specialist and artists to develop from concept, through detail and construction design to fully operation of the amusement park following the screen play given by the architect director.

Performance:
We attained the opening day with all of the installation fully operational according to planning and budget.

Project data:
FELIFONTE PARK
Type: Theme park / Total area: 30 ha / Location: Taranto, Italy / Clients: Nova Concordia/ Project schedule: 9 months/ Construction schedule: 2 years.

Jun 2001 - Aug 2003
 

Rafael Viñoly Architects, New York, NY, US, PROJECT ARCHITECT

Responsibilities:
To assist the project director to organise a new team of architects to develop a fast track project through schematics, detail design up to construction drawings, and being directly responsible for the facade package design and specs.

Performance:
We reached the planning and construction cost estimates for highly complex tensile structure project completion, being the first LEED-certified convention centre in North America and one of the first in the world.

Project data:
DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER
Total built area: 140.000 sqms / Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, EEUU / Clients: Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County / Budget: 375 million $ / Project schedule: 18 months / Construction schedule: 3 years.

Jun 1999 - Apr 2001
 

McCullough Mulvin Architects, Dublin, IE, DESIGN ARCHITECT

Responsibilities:
To lead competition design teams and supervise the design of the projects development on the following phases up to construction.

Performance:
Wining several competitions and to complete award wining buildings to position the practise as a reference on quality architecture.

Projects data:
USSHER LIBRARY TRINITY COLLEGE Dublin, Ireland: Architects association of Ireland award 2003
DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY HALL, Ireland: International competition winning entry1995
NEW SIENA MONASTERY in Drogheda, Ireland: Architects association of Ireland award 1999

Feb 1995 - May 1998
 

Education 

Columbia University, New York, NY, US, MArch, Architectural Advanced Design

Jul 1998 - Jun 1999
 

UPC | Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura de Barcelona, Barcelona, ES, BArch, Architecture Engineering

Professional Degree in Architecture engineering and urban planing.

Sep 1989 - Jan 1995
 

UNIVERITAT POLITÈCNICA DE CATALUNYA - BC CAD, Barcelona, ES, Computer aided Design, Structures and Construction

Sep 1992 - May 1993
 

Awards 

Architectural competition for a new public space in Girona, Spain, 1st Place

Author of the wining entry of a national competition with the project PARCMOBIL

2000
 

Areas of Specialization