Renowned for his innovative approach, Sergi Comellas shares insights into his creative process, collaborative endeavours, and dedication to integrating sustainable practices into his work with Nounouche. 

Comellas reflects on the challenges of surpassing traditional design limits, highlighting the ‘A1730 GUEST APARTMENT’ project. He emphasises a departure from the usual functionality of space, prioritising the intrinsic beauty of form and environment. “This project exemplifies how sometimes it’s necessary to prioritize aesthetics and the emotions that a built space can generate for its inhabitants. My experience is primarily in the residential sector, where I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, catering to clients from different cultures. Sometimes, it’s challenging to think about surpassing the limits of traditional design because, throughout my experience, our customs and lifestyles are relatively similar and have not significantly evolved over the years. One of the biggest challenges in my career has been managing large-scale residential projects. These projects require deep conceptualization, meticulous management, and supervision until construction. Large-scale residential projects demand a high level of detail, efficient coordination of professional teams, and rigorous process and time control, extending beyond creativity and design,” he notes. 

Comellas underlines the importance of the human aspect in designing project teams, emphasising the need to set aside professional ego for the common goal of enhancing well-being. “A fundamental lesson has been to set aside the professional ‘ego’ to focus on what’s essential: enhancing people’s well-being and understanding their relationship with the built space. I found that when a team shares this vision, the process is fluent, and the outcomes are exceptional. The project becomes an inspiring and enriching journey, offering the opportunity to learn from other disciplines. Technological advancements have revolutionized collaboration on global projects, allowing us to form multidisciplinary teams that can communicate effectively both in person and remotely.

Reflecting on the past, it’s impressive to think how challenging it was to manage international projects years ago. These advancements are crucial for improving communication and integrating ideas among designers, engineers, and other stakeholders, ensuring successful synergy in each project,” he states. Technological advancements play a crucial role in revolutionizing collaboration, allowing for effective communication among designers, engineers, and stakeholders. He added, “We dedicate much time to generating detailed project documentation in our particular approach. Nowadays, we have tools that allow us to create highly precise and visual documents, facilitating effective communication among all professionals involved in a project, including the client. This has been key to ensuring that every team member has a clear and careful understanding of the project as a whole.”

Balancing design principles with contemporary trends is a delicate task, and Comellas shares his perspective. He observes the evolution of minimalism from a design trend to a lifestyle, aligning with his focus on simplicity and well-being. “In my projects, this minimalist approach becomes a refuge against the sensory overload of the external world, reflecting how spaces can be both modern and serene. I believe that as our cities and societies evolve, our homes will become more minimalist; it’s a matter of balance. In my 20 years of experience, I have maintained a minimalist style, adapting to variations within this trend. Although minimalism as a concept remains constant, details like materials, tones, and furniture styles evolve. These adaptations reflect how I respond to contemporary trends without losing the essence of my design vision,” he explains.

Maintaining a minimalist style for over two decades, he adapts to variations within the trend, ensuring relevance while staying true to his design vision. Furthermore, “To anticipate and adapt to emerging movements, I stay informed and receptive to changes in the design world, constantly evaluating how these new trends might fit or influence my minimalist approach. Often, this involves carefully selecting elements that complement my style, maintaining the principle of eliminating the non-essential, and as I like to add, what generates ’emotional noise.’ Thus, my design practice balances a firm adherence to my minimalist principles with adaptability to contemporary trends, ensuring that my work remains relevant and responsive to the changing needs of well-being and aesthetics.

In a world increasingly conscious of sustainability, Comellas sees it as an integral part of the design process. “Today, sustainability is no longer just a goal; it has become an integral part of how we understand design…I find it hard to imagine designing a home without considering its orientation, leveraging natural factors, using sustainable materials, or incorporating environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. In nearly all of my projects, these principles are a top priority,” he emphasizes. He believes in maximizing surroundings to benefit a home’s conceptualization, ensuring the space contributes to well-being without relying on external elements.

Comellas acknowledges the transformative role of artificial intelligence and values tools that enable visualizing spaces in three dimensions. He envisions a future where affordable tools evaluate the emotional impact of space on people before conceptualization. “I am a big fan of TED Talks. I must admit that there are episodes I never tire of watching over and over again, as I find this format extremely inspiring. I particularly enjoy pausing on episodes like ‘How Architecture Can Create Dignity for All’ by John Cary or ‘My Architectural Philosophy? Bring the Community into the Process by Alejandro Aravena, among others, which are not always directly related to design. I like to imagine that in the future, architecture and design will have even more opportunities to conceptualize built environments with the sole purpose of increasing our well-being,” he shares. He also stays connected through portals, digital magazines, and social networks to stay updated on industry trends.

Diversity in design is a core principle for Comellas, who draws inspiration from various cultures. “I firmly believe that various cultures have made exceptional contributions to the world of design. Buildings that have acquired emotional or religious value come to mind. Sometimes, architecture and design intended for these purposes become sources of inspiration for me, not so much for their inherent meaning but for their details, composition, light, geometry, etc,” he states. While the cultural factor may be less pronounced in residential projects, he strives to incorporate cultural elements respecting the traditions of clients from different backgrounds.

Comellas addresses the common perception that beauty and functionality are at odds. He argues that often, aesthetics become functionality, especially in a world that craves serene and calm spaces. “As I have previously mentioned, a clear example of this can be seen in the ‘A1730 GUEST APARTMENT’ project, where beauty and aesthetics take precedence over functionality,” he explains.

More than specific moments or projects, Comellas emphasizes that people define his approach to design. “I believe that more than specific moments or projects, what truly defines my approach to design are the people, and the clients,” he shares. He encourages young designers to prioritize helping people, emphasizing that design is about positively impacting lives. Noting that, “The most gratifying and impactful aspect of my career, which I never anticipated when I started, is the lasting bond that forms with the people I have assisted in designing their homes. It is incredibly rewarding to see their appreciation for bringing their vision or abstract idea to life at the start of the process. It is encouraging to see how, through our design, we can significantly improve people’s lives. What I have learned from my entire experience is the importance of placing our client at the very centre of the project. Considering the client as the cornerstone of the entire process and objectives is fundamental. This client-centred perspective has shaped not only how I approach projects but also how I understand the emotional and functional impact of design on people’s lives.”

Although he encourages young people to centre their clients and human connection, he shared that he’s not a fan of giving advice because, “each person must find their own path and discover their mission and purpose in life. However, if I were to share a thought with young and aspiring designers, I would tell them to think first and foremost about the people they can help. Beyond a style, design, concept, or intention, there is always a person at the end of our work. We, as designers, are merely a vehicle to improve the lives of others. I would encourage them to have faith, patience, and persistence in their journey. Results will come, but it’s important to remember that design is more than aesthetics and functionality; it’s about positively impacting people’s lives. Keeping this human-focused approach can help them develop a unique design identity and stay resilient in a competitive field.” 

Nature remains Comellas’ primary inspiration, offering answers in beauty, harmony, and uniqueness. Great figures in design and architecture, such as Mies, Ando, and Gaudí, inspired him not only for their works but also for challenging conventional norms. “My main source of inspiration is nature. If we learn to observe it without filters, we often can appreciate its perfection. I believe that in nature, we find all the answers: beauty, harmony, sequence, light, symmetry, magnificence, uniqueness, imperfection, detail, completeness, serenity, and much more. Nature offers an infinite spectrum of inspirations that can be translated into design,” he affirms. Sorrentino is also a reference for him, in how he conveys subtlety and detail. “Sorrentino is also a reference for me, in how he conveys subtlety and detail I find it spectacular how he can have such sensitivity. I could name many; I think it’s overwhelming the talent surrounding us,” he adds.

Comellas doesn’t live by a specific quote but emphasizes the importance of being present. ” I like to think of myself as a learner in the practice of meditation, striving to keep my mind clear to observe the richness of the present and the details of our surroundings. This approach helps me to more deeply appreciate life and to be mindful of the value of each moment,” he shares. Looking ahead, Comellas expresses a passion for continuing to design homes and exploring opportunities to create spaces enjoyed by more people. “In the future, I would like to continue working on projects for those who believe they need my help,” he expresses. His commitment to attention to detail remains unwavering as he envisions a future where architecture and interior design are intimately linked to emotional impact and well-being.

Check out Sergi’s website here.