Architecture is not produced in isolation. It emerges from the long–term interaction between territory, material availability, construction cultures, and socio–economic change. In alpine regions, these relationships become particularly legible: resources are limited, landscapes are fragile, and architectural decisions tend to have lasting territorial consequences. This design studio focuses on Riom and the Surses valley in Graubünden as a first case study to investigate the relationship between architecture and resources. In this alpine context, the effects of the climate emergency are already reshaping the valley’s main source of income, winter tourism. Diminishing snowfall, changing precipitation patterns, and increasing environmental instability reveal how climatic change affects not only ecosystems, but also everyday life and the socio–economic reality of the territory. Rather than treating territory as a neutral backdrop, the course positions it as an active condition that both enables and constrains.
Studio Culture
At Studio Cifuentes, we are committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and intellectually generous studio environment where open communication, mutual respect, and collective support are fundamental. We understand the studio not merely as a teaching format, but as a shared cultural and intellectual space in which architectural thinking develops through dialogue, critique, making, and reflection.
We encourage collaboration, curiosity, and critical exploration, and we invite the students to approach the semester as a collective endeavour in which each participant actively contributes to the intellectual atmosphere of the studio. In line with Donald Schön’s concept of the reflective practitioner, we understand design as an iterative process of thinking through making. Critique is therefore not simply a moment of evaluation, but a constructive exchange through which ideas are tested, challenged, refined, and expanded. We see design as a process of research through experimentation. Projects evolve through cycles of testing, reflection, and revision, where uncertainty and failure are not obstacles but essential components of learning. For this reason, we place greater emphasis on the quality of the design process than on the production of a finished object.
Prof. Francisco Cifuentes Utrero
Francisco Cifuentes Utrero is a Spanish architect, researcher and educator. In 2010, he co-founded Aulets Arquitectes in Mallorca, a practice exploring architecture as a means of restoring the connection between place, material and community. Its work focuses on regenerative design and adaptive reuse, developing non- extractive building strategies that strengthen local value chains through timber, stone and earth. Alongside his practice, Francisco has led research on circular construction, landscape regeneration and material innovation, including work on the ecological transformation of Mallorca's historic quarries and the restoration of Jørn Utzon's Can Lis. In 2020, he co-founded Amarar, an initiative promoting sustainable forestry and circular timber production in Mallorca, using locally sourced wood for architecture and furniture while contributing to the regeneration of productive landscapes.
Before joining ETH Zurich in 2025, Francisco taught at several universities in Spain and Germany and served as Director General of Housing for the City of Palma, where he led neighbourhood regeneration and climate adaptation initiatives. His work reflects a commitment to architecture that is deeply rooted in the cultural, environmental and economic realities of place.
Gwendoline Eveillard
Gwendoline studied at Paris-Malaquais and KADK in Copenhagen. After graduating, she moved to Basel and joined Herzog & de Meuron, where she worked for five years on projects from concept to construction. Since 2021, she has developed an independent practice in France and Switzerland, working across residential and tertiary projects. Her approach is grounded in an interest in the existing, materiality and transformation, with a particular focus on the processes of making. Her experience co-founding a start-up specialising in reuse and deconstruction further informed this approach. She has taught at Paris-Malaquais and École Spéciale d’Architecture, before joining Studio Cifuentes in 2026.
After graduating from ETSAM in 2001, following a year at the University of Marne-la-Vallée in Paris, Laura worked at architectural firms, focusing mostly on competitions, in Barcelona with Prof. Balcells, in Hamburg with Prof. Winking and in Cologne with Prof. Molestina and Prof. Kulka. Prior to joining Studio Cifuentes in 2026, Laura taught design at the PBSA in Düsseldorf from 2015 to 2025 and was a guest professor in the winter semester of 2026 in Biberach. She has gained extensive experience participating in design competitions over the past 25 years, and enjoys sharing this with students.
Guillem studied architecture at La Salle URL in Barcelona. During and after his studies, he worked at MIAS Architects on housing and adaptive reuse projects, and later at Mirla Landscape Architects on landscape and public-space projects. Alongside practice, he worked as a research fellow at the Institute for Mediterranean Architecture (IAM) and taught at La Salle. His interest in material resources and alternative ways of building led him to complete an MAS at ETH Zurich, with a thesis on traditional Japanese timber joinery and robotic fabrication. He also works independently on architectural projects. Guillem joined Studio Cifuentes in 2025.
Francesca studied in Mendrisio and KADK in Copenhagen before completing her Masters at the ETH Zurich. Following her curiosity for rammed earth and sustainable construction, Francesca worked at Boltshauser Architekten. Her interests in materiality and process has since led her to working on building sites, in workshops and qualifying as a joiner at the Buildings Craft College in London. Prior to joining Studio Cifuentes in 2026, Francesca has taught with Parabase and Material Cultures at both the ETH Zurich and Central Saint Martins in London. In 2025, Francesca set up her own weaving and making practice in Zurich.
Willem is a multimedia producer and filmmaker from London. His focus lies in documenting processes, environments and the people behind them. Since studying History of Art at The University of York, Willem has produced films, photography, podcasts and live events across the fields of architecture, music, design and performing arts. He is particularly interested in sustainability in the built environment, having collaborated on a number of key campaigns for the climate NGO, C4O Cities. Willem joined Studio Cifuentes in 2026.
After graduating from ETSAM in Madrid in 2002, Luis worked at Ulargui Pesquera architects before running his own office, Sarabia Garcia del Castillo arquitectos, from 2005 until 2013. The office worked mostly on competitions, some of which were built. In 2013 Luis moved to Switzerland and joined von Ballmoos Krucker Architekten. Since 2016 Luis has worked at Blättler Dafflon as project leader and associate. Beyond practice, Luis took part in the architectural design PhD programm at ETSAM in 2011 and from 2021-2022 he taught in the second year with Annette Spiro at ETH. Luis joined Studio Cifuentes in 2026.
After graduating from ETH Zurich, Paula moved to London and joined Caruso St John Architects where she worked for eight years and led projects from concept to construction. Since 2024, she has focused on independent work, including residential projects and competitions in Switzerland, the UK and Ireland. Her practice is guided by a commitment to sustainability, careful detailing, and the creative use of existing structures. Beyond practice, Paula has been teaching at the University of Nottingham and the Architectural Association before joining Studio Cifuentes in 2026.
Student Assistants:
Yvonne Ly
