When geometry becomes serious yet surprising

When Frank Gehry was asked why he designed buildings with so few straight lines, he said that curved lines felt more human to him. In Málaga, Raúl Fernández Contreras and Víctor González Vera, leading MLKT Design & Architecture, faced a similar challenge, albeit less sculptural and more functional, when designing the new headquarters for the Association of Builders and Developers (ACP). The premises had a rather irregular geometry, and instead of avoiding it, they decided to make it the core of the entire project.

The result is a space that not only embraces its geometric quirks but celebrates them. “That unconventional shape ended up being the driving force of the design. It allowed us to organise functional uses and create a unique user experience,” the studio explains. And like every good engine needs a solid chassis, MLKT chose a surface that matched the challenge: Dekton by Cosentino.

ACP celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new headquarters and a new image: solid, sober, and contemporary. “We wanted to create a versatile, functional, welcoming space with a strong identity,” the architects explain. The key to achieving this was the central core, where closed spaces like meeting rooms are concentrated, leaving the perimeter for more open and bright work areas.

That core is no ordinary feature: it is clad in vertical strips of Dekton Kelya, arranged in a rhythmic pattern that exudes character. “We used it for vertical cladding to give it prominence and convey sobriety and elegance,” they comment. Dekton interacts with other materials like wood, stainless steel, and ACP's corporate blue, reinforcing the modern and professional atmosphere of the space. The same applies to the bathrooms, where the same material has been used but in the colour Dekton Opera, inspired by the elegant Italian Carrara marble.

The choice of Dekton was not an aesthetic whim, although its appearance certainly played an important role. “It met all the requirements: design, colour, texture, and technical properties. It helped us convey the image of elegance and timelessness we wanted.” Additionally, it had to fit within the budget, and it did.

From a technical perspective, the material integrated seamlessly into the design. “Once the board modulation is considered, everything becomes very convenient. It maximises usage and is quick to install,” they explain. In fact, the vertical band pattern emerged precisely from this efficient use of the pieces. On a practical level, it also scores points: “Dirt is not noticeable, and it cleans easily. It’s a very forgiving material,” the architects say.

Transforming a space with complex geometry into a functional, representative, and durable workspace is no small feat. Especially when it needs to withstand the test of time without looking outdated in five years. “We wanted a space that remains relevant in 15 years, modern yet timeless,” they affirm. For that, every material had to play its part. Others, like wood, were discarded for precisely that reason: “It required more artisanal work and didn’t offer the same elegance or sobriety.”

MLKT's project for ACP is a clear example of how the right materials can work together to address functional, aesthetic, and economic challenges simultaneously through design. Dekton is not just cladding here: it is the visual anchor of the entire space. The fixed point amidst the geometric interplay.