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In profile:
Pombo Estudio

In Profile:

by Pombo Estudio

Shortlisted: 2 categories

The International Hotel & Property and Design & Architecture Awards 2025

Hotel Under 50 Rooms Pombo Estudio Hotel Don Ramon 1

Luxury Residence Europe Pombo Estudio Madrid Project 1

Name: Alejandra Pombo

Company: Pombo Estudio

Position within company: CEO

Website: www.alejandrapombo.com

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

Graduated in Interior Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Alejandra Pombo began her career at the prestigious interior design studio of Pascua Ortega.

In 2010, she decided to embark on her own path by founding her own interior design studio, Alejandra Pombo Estudio. Over the years, she has expanded her team to take on projects both nationally and internationally, ranging from private residences to comprehensive 360-degree projects for hotels, restaurants, the metaverse, clinics, stores, and corporate spaces.

How would you describe your personal design style?

I don’t have a personal style, I defined our Studio as camaleonics. I love to blend in with the client and explore what they truly want and what makes them feel comfortable. I don’t have a particular style, but I do have a very defined way of working. I believe it’s a virtue to understand and capture what my client wants. I see myself as a tool to make their dreams a reality, and we are able to manifest those dreams spatially.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

Inspiration comes from many places: a trip that moves me, materials that suggest ideas, spaces that call for a special style, the light that floods a space.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

I would say Design is increasingly focusing on personalization and sustainability, those are two growing aspects that all Interior designs have to face. Specialization is increasing. Previously, an interior designer could be anyone, but today’s clients are very demanding and seek someone who is truly skilled and knowledgeable. They don’t just want decoration; they want us to create the entire space. Ultimately, we are interior architects, and clients seek a comprehensive change in their space, requiring greater specialization.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2024 and beyond.

In general, I tend to avoid trends. Each space should speak for itself, and a space needs to have its own personality rather than following trends. Trends have an expiration date, but I believe the work I do should be timeless. It shouldn’t go out of style because a fashion or trend falls out of favor; it will have its own life cycle, but not because a trend has faded.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

They need to learn to listen. No matter how skilled you are, if you can’t listen to what the client wants, you’ll end up imposing a vision that, at the end of the day, they won’t feel is their own and, therefore, won’t feel like home. For complete satisfaction, the client needs to have dreamed and imagined with you so that when it comes time to materialize it, the experience is truly fulfilling.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

It Is a well know sector barometer.

What projects are you currently working on?

This year, we’ll have different projects, quite curious and, I’d say, emblematic. We’re lucky that each year more interesting projects come into the studio, and I have no doubt this year will be no exception. Right now, we are working on 6 hotels, 5 restaurants, 2 offices, and 1 hospitality space, but our core business continues to be luxury housing, which we are currently developing both in Spain and internationally. Let’s talk in 12 months, and you can tell me what you think of what we’ve done.

Hotel Under 50 Rooms Pombo Estudio Hotel Don Ramon 2

Luxury Residence Europe Pombo Estudio Madrid Project 2

Hotel Under 50 Rooms Pombo Estudio Hotel Don Ramon 4

Hotel Under 50 Rooms Pombo Estudio Hotel Don Ramon 5

Luxury Residence Europe Pombo Estudio Madrid Project 3

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

It’s like asking a parent which of their children is their favorite—it’s hard to choose. In reality, this is what keeps me so in love with my work; each project has something special. Some have a unique location, others have clients with whom I’ve built a special bond, some have unique spatial structures, and others offer creative freedom. I always hold a very special memory of each one, for one reason or another.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

One of our biggest challenges has been designing parts of one of the most important football stadiums in the world in Madrid. It has been a beautiful project; we have enjoyed every step, and the result has filled us with pride.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

I would definitely say that the most important part of a project is the lighting. Whether it’s natural light that needs to be used intelligently in each space, or the artificial lighting we design with special care, proper illumination is crucial.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

To be fortunate enough to continue working with my team, because they are exceptional and make our final product exceptional. To keep dreaming of spaces that clients feel are their dreams come true.