Rodolfo Amieva: “In Marbella, architecture defines the way of living”
Carmen Duran - Jan 12, 2026 - Marbella Lifestyle
Speaking with Rodolfo Amieva is to take an unhurried journey through more than three decades of Marbella’s history, told through architecture: from a city that had yet to sense the transformation ahead, to the global premium destination it has become today. Rodolfo Amieva, architect and founding partner of González & Jacobson, arrived “by chance”, thinking it would be a short stay… and ended up building his life here, as well as shaping much of the new residential architectural language of the Costa del Sol.
In 2025, the studio celebrated its 30th anniversary with institutional recognition from Marbella City Council — a gesture that reflects a career closely linked to the evolution of the city and the Golden Triangle.
Javier Nieto, CEO of Pure Living Properties, speaks with Rodolfo Amieva about vocation, urban transformation, how international clients have changed, the return to Andalusian architecture — enhanced by technology and comfort — and why Marbella’s future will inevitably balance tradition and global influence.
Rodolfo, you arrived in Marbella at a decisive moment in your life and went on to become a key figure in residential architecture on the Costa del Sol. Beyond your career, what made you choose this city as a place to live?
My arrival in Marbella was almost accidental. After studying architecture in Mexico and completing a postgraduate degree in Madrid, I spent some time working in England. There, speaking with someone from Granada, the idea came up that if there were opportunities for an architect, they would probably be in Marbella.
I came with the intention of staying for a while, getting to know Andalusia and continuing to grow professionally, but I found work very quickly and the city began to offer me more than just a temporary professional experience. Over time, Marbella became the centre of my life. It was not a planned decision, but rather the result of a combination of work, opportunities and a way of life that suited me from the very beginning.
Rodolfo Amieva’s perspective
Over more than thirty years, how have you seen Marbella evolve from an architectural and urban planning point of view?
The transformation has been enormous. When I arrived, many of the areas we now consider fully established did not even exist. There have been several key moments, but one particularly decisive period was the Gil era, when Marbella experienced a second major boost after the jet set years. At that point, the city changed scale and was redefined urbanistically.
From an architectural perspective, Marbella has always been shaped by its international character. The constant arrival of clients from different countries has made architecture an ongoing exercise in adaptation, with influences coming and going depending on economic and cultural cycles.
What does Rodolfo Amieva remember about the early years of the studio and your beginnings in the city?
I remember a period of intense learning and observation. Marbella has a very distinctive quality: its relationship with landscape and greenery. It is something you can perceive even from the road, especially when comparing it with neighbouring municipalities. That integration between architecture and nature has always been one of the city’s defining characteristics.
From the very beginning, I understood that an architect in Marbella does not simply design buildings, but also carries a clear responsibility towards the surrounding environment. That idea has been present in all our projects.
Throughout your career you have signed very different projects. How would you define your way of designing, and what makes the González & Jacobson imprint recognisable?
I have never felt that I had a fixed style. My way of working has evolved over time and, to a large extent, adapts to what the client needs or is looking for. We have developed projects with very diverse influences, from Asian references to more contemporary or traditional architectural languages.
Interestingly, despite this variety, many people recognise our projects without seeing the signature. There is an internal coherence — a way of understanding space, proportion and the relationship with the environment — that becomes recognisable, even if it is not always easy to explain in words.
Rodolfo Amieva and Pure Living Properties
Among your recent projects is Villa Marea, a beachfront property marketed in co-exclusivity by Pure Living Properties. How did this project come about?
Villa Marea began with a client who wanted to invest and build a home without having a clear idea of what they were looking for. We started by exploring different options, from more traditional Andalusian-inspired proposals to clearly contemporary approaches.
Eventually, the project evolved into a solution that broke with many of Marbella’s established conventions, particularly in terms of its exterior image and its direct relationship with the sea. It was a very open process, with full client trust, which allowed us to explore new ideas freely.
Villa Marea has a very strong architectural presence while remaining carefully integrated into its surroundings. What were you aiming to convey with its design?
At that time, I was in a phase of personal experimentation, exploring materials, volumes and construction solutions. Villa Marea offered me the opportunity to develop that creative curiosity without excessive restrictions.
The key was to create a contemporary home with a strong architectural identity, while at the same time ensuring a dialogue with its natural surroundings and the experience of living by the sea. It was not just about creating a striking image, but about designing a house meant to be lived in.
Marbella is now one of Europe’s most important premium residential destinations. What role does architecture play in that positioning?
Architecture plays a fundamental role. Marbella attracts highly demanding clients, both national and international, which forces a constant elevation of quality standards. The architect is not only responding to an aesthetic demand, but also integrating the project into a very specific landscape and urban context.
Architectural quality, together with landscaping and the surrounding environment, creates a lifestyle experience that is essential to Marbella’s appeal as a residential destination.
What does today’s international client ask for, and how has that changed compared to ten or fifteen years ago?
There are two very clear demands. On the one hand, integrated workspaces within the home, a direct consequence of remote working. This is something requested by almost every client profile.
On the other hand, leisure spaces have gained enormous importance. Basements have ceased to be residual areas and have become fully liveable spaces: social areas, wine cellars, spas or entertainment zones, adapted to each owner’s lifestyle.
There also seems to be a shift in the architectural language clients are looking for.
Absolutely. After a period strongly defined by extremely modern architecture and large glass surfaces, many clients have returned to a more approachable architectural language, with Andalusian or Mediterranean references.
They are looking for homes with character, with more human proportions, that could not be located just anywhere in the world. They want to feel they are in Spain, which translates into more traditional façades combined with contemporary interiors and modern technology.
Looking back, which projects stand out for what they have meant to you personally?
La Trinidad is certainly one of them. I remember the first time I entered the plot — a vast green space with horses grazing. That moment defined the project: we decided to organise the buildings around that central open space, preserving it and respecting the landscape as much as possible.
Another very special project was the restaurant Breathe, where the architectural concept was developed even before the gastronomic one. It was a clear example of how architecture can generate a complete identity.
After so many years in the profession, what continues to motivate Rodolfo Amieva on a daily basis?
The constant search for something new. We have never worked by copying and pasting solutions. Every project is different, and every client represents a new challenge. That curiosity is what I try to pass on to the entire team.
There are difficult moments, as in any creative and construction process, but the possibility of continuing to learn and evolve is what keeps the enthusiasm alive.
To conclude, how does Rodolfo Amieva see the future of Marbella from an architectural perspective?
I believe two realities will coexist. On the one hand, highly personalised architecture linked to vernacular traditions and Andalusian heritage, for those seeking a unique home. On the other, a more globalised architecture, driven by demographic pressure and land scarcity.
In any case, architectural standards will continue to rise. The lack of available plots and the high value of land will mean that many projects involve renovation or reconstruction, which can be a great opportunity to further improve the city’s architectural quality.
