Next unites architecture, interior design, and construction with innovative technologies

A comprehensive experience that accompanies the client from beginning to end, starting with the architectural project and ending with construction, including interior design and everything it entails. With this philosophy, Next was born ten years ago, led by Gerard Ribot and Núria Vílchez, who approach their projects prioritizing the client's experience in a personalized way. "We are transmitters of the client's illusion; our job is to materialize it," illustrates Ribot.

"We provide a 360 service and accompaniment that includes the entire process," adds Vílchez. The process covers aspects such as lighting studies and the choice of materials and elements, even the smallest cabinet handle, for both individuals and developers. And all culminated with the execution of the project. For this, Next has a construction service with a team of operators, which allows closing the circle, and doing so with a differentiating element: "Our construction company is made with the eyes of an architect, and not of a builder who prioritizes making a profit," declares the co-founder of the studio.

With this vision of architecture, both founded Next in 2013 after working together in an office from which they captained large public works projects. After 13 years in the studio in Ribot's case and seven for Vílchez, they allied to create Next. They did so seeking to offer a different service focused on the client and their needs. "Our mission is to adjust our style to what the client requires. For this reason, our projects have a common feel, but all are adapted to the client behind them," according to Ribot. And always with a basic objective: "To make the process of building a home or a development as pleasant as possible, and not a burden or a reason for discussion, as sometimes happens."

Virtual reality is a key resource for Next to approach its projects with clients

In this sense, virtual reality is a key resource for Next to approach its projects with clients. Vílchez details that each design is reproduced in VR, and clients can dive into their future homes or developments with the mere gesture of putting on glasses. Through this technology, they can visit the project being designed and also choose materials, testing options digitally. "It gives you a real idea of the space," through an immersive experience that is far from discussing options on a black and white plan.

Next is committed to strengthening its presence in southern Spain, and is studying opening an office in the Malaga area

Transmitting emotions through spaces

This innovative and comprehensive perspective led the studio to bill three million euros in 2023, of which 1.3 came from the architecture leg along with interior design, and close to 1.6 came from construction. To these three legs, Next adds a fourth: the humanization of spaces. As Ribot explains, it is about using interior design to enhance emotions that positively impact the activity hosted by each type of space. "We work on the sensitivity of the place using all elements, such as materials, colors, layout, smell, and home automation; it is the most emotional part of architecture," Vílchez summarizes.

Next directs this humanization of spaces in facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and schools, but also applies it in professional environments, such as the offices of a chemical company where it has recently intervened. Among its latest projects are the design of delivery rooms and also neonatal ICU rooms, which have replaced cold and colorless stays with spaces that aim to embrace parents from a discourse linked to their emotions. The same idea also prevails when they intervene in hospitals where they seek to accompany emotions; in schools, to improve learning, and in companies, to enhance productivity, among other objectives.

The studio promotes this line of humanization while also boosting other facets of the company linked to architecture from other angles. In this sense, it plans to create an online training line aimed at architects and interior designers that also addresses the business aspects of the sector. This is not its only future intention: Next is committed to strengthening its presence in southern Spain. To do this, it is considering opening a new office in the Malaga area: "If we continue as in recent years, it will be inevitable." The company's expansion will be accompanied by an increase in staff: it will add at least four employees this year, which could be more than a dozen if three large projects the studio is working on prosper.

Thus, in ten years Next has gone from operating with its two co-founders to having dozens of employees. In this decade, starting from the renovation of the well-known English houses of Sabadell and largely through word-of-mouth, the firm has expanded to pilot large developments and facilities, including an Ibizan hotel, restaurants, schools, businesses, and spaces in hospital centers. Always from an innovative perspective that seeks to go further to offer the client a comprehensive service with 360 support.