Juan Herreros, born in 1958 in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain, developed a professional practice centered on the synthesis of architecture, art, and research. Since earning his degree in 1985 from the Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid, he has transitioned through various collaborative partnerships to establish a distinct methodology focused on multifunctional typologies and sustainable urban integration.
Academic and Research Foundations
Herreros began his teaching career at the Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid, where he instructed students in construction until 1988 before becoming a professor of Architectural Design. He obtained his PhD in 1994 and received the title of professor in 2010. His pedagogical reach extends globally, including tenures at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Princeton University, EPFL Lausanne, and the Architectural Association in London. Since 2007, he has served as a professor in professional practice at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Evolution of Practice and Collaboration
In 1984, he co-founded the firm Ábalos & Herreros, later launching the Multimedia International League in 1999. His early work featured collaborations with artists such as Dan Graham and Antoni Muntadas, reflecting a desire to bridge disciplinary boundaries. Following the dissolution of his partnership with Iñaki Ábalos in 2008, he established Herreros Arquitectos. By 2014, the firm was rebranded as estudio Herreros, functioning as a nexus for practical design, teaching, and theoretical research into emerging architectural practices.
Selected Architectural Projects
Herreros's portfolio includes significant international developments and urban masterplans. His work ranges from the 2009-2019 Munch Museum in Oslo to the 2011-2018 Agora International Convention Center in Bogotá. In Spain, his projects include the 2010-2011 New Exhibition Rooms of the Reina Sofia Museum and the 2006-2012 masterplan for the integration of the railway in Logroño. These projects often explore the organizational principles of skyscrapers and the application of urban planning criteria to specific structural programs.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- Education: Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid
- Current practice name: estudio Herreros
- Selected project: Munch Museum, Oslo (2009-2019)
- Academic role: Professor, Columbia University
- Recognition: International Fellow of the RIBA
- Citizenship: Spain
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of Juan Herreros's theoretical work?
His research focuses on emerging practices in architecture, exploring how to adapt architectural techniques to new economic conditions and changing production methods.
Is Juan Herreros currently active in the profession?
Yes, he remains active as a practitioner, researcher, and educator through his firm, estudio Herreros.
Achievements
- Trained at Technical University of Madrid and Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid
