Ms. Vallbona was born in Madrid in 1973 and began studying piano from an early age. As a young girl she was exceptionally passionate about music. Years later, her artistic restlessness shifted to a vision of spaces, light, shadows, shapes, and colors. This accomplished architect has always understood the profession from a more human element, connected to the state of mind of the individuals who experience a building, contemplate a painting, or can feel a melody.

Between 1991 and 1997 she studied at Madrid’s Technical School of Architecture (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid, E.T.S.A.M.), majoring in urban planning and construction and graduating cum laude. During this time she spent her summers at her family’s summer home in Mallorca where she was befriended by Jhon Utzon, the renowned architect of the Sydney Opera house. Their long afternoon conversations would prove to have a considerable impact on her designs.

She began working at an architectural firm as a student where she became a partner in 2004, later inspiring her to start her own firm.

Throughout these years, Ms. Vallbona designed and directed numerous projects at the firm. Although she spent considerable time in management, her real passion lay in conceiving new ideas for projects. Ms. Vallbona believes that in order to create a worthy architectural design one must delve under the skin of those who will be utilizing the building to see in which manner the building will be used, the explicit needs of its tenants, and which sensations will be projected upon those who enter into its spaces. Irene enjoys strolling through completed buildings already in use to see if the finished product meets the users’ needs as she envisioned. She seeks to confirm if the building has simple and intuitive functionality, as well as warm and luminous spaces that make its daily use a bit more comfortable and pleasant.