Designs on Valencia

Over on the Blog we recently wrote about interesting constructions in Valencia and today we bring you this excellent apartment in a wonderful Art Deco building, designed by one of Valencias pioneers, and after several minutes of investigation and research i have neatly resumed his work. No AI here at VP, definitely not.

Facundo Martinez was not actually an architect, but rather a visionary developer and builder who left a profound, highly recognizable mark on the urban fabric of Valencia, Spain. Operating between the late 1950s and mid-1970s—a rigid period of Spanish history often defined by monotonous, gray post-war construction—Martínez stood out by injecting avant-garde European design into standard residential housing
Entirely self-taught, he gathered inspiration from international design magazines and collaborated closely with skilled architects, building engineers, and master local craftsmen to realize his ambitious, highly ornamental visions. Today, his unique blocks of flats are affectionately referred to by locals simply as “Un Facundo”.

Martínez’s style can be described as vanguard eclecticism with a cinematic, highly tactile flair. While mainstream developers of the era prioritized cheap, rapid construction, Martínez focused heavily on custom ornamentation and experiential spaces.
Cinematic Lobbies (Zaguanes): The entrance halls of his buildings are his ultimate signature. Moving through a Facundo lobby feels theatrical; they feature custom oversized lighting fixtures, dramatic indirect lighting, integrated heavy wooden furniture, and striking geometric paneling.
The "Rule of Three" Textures: Martínez loved experimenting with materials, often grouping entirely different textures on a single continuous surface. For example, he would seamlessly mix rice paper wallpaper, vibrant colored glass, and stark white brickwork in a way that defied typical design rules but felt warm and harmonious.
International Nomenclature: As a nod to the global movements he admired, Martínez prominently cast custom typographic names onto the facades of his buildings. Some of his most famous structures in Valencia bear names like Edificio Le Corbusier, Edificio Kyoto, Oslo, and Edificio Lafarge.
Obsession with the Micro-Detail: His design oversight extended far beyond the facade. He personally conceptualized custom wrought-iron railings, geometric ceramics, distinct cabinetry handles, and artisanal starburst wall sconces so that every element felt intentional.
Though overlooked by academic architectural history for decades because his contributions were primarily decorative rather than structural, his work has recently undergone an intense cultural revival. He has become a cult icon of mid-century Spanish design, celebrated through local initiatives like Open House València and dedicated documentary features mapping his eccentric legacy.
Closets: As a Homosexual Catholic Facundo was a leading authority on these.

So, there you have it, and here is one of his nice Square and Bright Apartments to lovingly restore in the centre of El Carmen, great bones, great location, bags of character and a fascinating passage in Valencia's History.