yinjispace

ARCHITECTURE
Francesc Rifé Studio
INTERIOR
Francesc Rifé Studio
PHOTOGRAPHY
Javier Márquez
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

In the context of Spanish minimalist design, the works of Francesc Rife present the order and warmth of space in a pure and delicate way. His designs not only demonstrate a profound understanding of geometric proportions and spatial rhythms, but also create an intimate and pleasant experience on a grand scale. Through simple yet expressive lines, carefully selected materials, and a keen grasp of light and space, he has created an environment that is both practical and poetic. Its meticulous exploration of materials, proportions and touch enables every design to not only meet functional requirements but also evoke deep emotional resonance in people, highlighting the humanistic warmth and philosophical thinking behind minimalism.

Recently, Francesc Rife Studio released their latest designed hotel project, which is a spatial narrative about order, materials and light. The grille system runs through the interior and exterior, and natural stone, oak and brass endow the grand volume with a sense of intimacy. The sculptural staircase in the lobby, the floating metal grid, the high-rise private club and the elaborately decorated guest rooms - every detail forms a dialogue between touch and sight. The space flows between grandeur and warmth, interweaving functionality and comfort, presenting the unique public nature of modern hotels and the familiar experience of a residence.

Monterrey, Mexico —Designed by Francesc Rifé Studio, the new Hotel Presidente InterContinental Monterrey brings together architecture and interior design under a single logic. Spanning nineteen floors and housing 293 rooms, the project is guided by the rhythm of lattices—both inside and out—by a precise sense of order, and by a material palette that blends Rochelle natural stone, oak wood, and brass to turn monumental scale into intimacy.

The lattice system acts as the project’s backbone. On the façade, aluminum slats create a shifting pattern of light and shadow that transforms throughout the day. Inside, this idea is reinterpreted in oak wood, adding warmth and continuity. Light—filtered or direct—becomes a material of its own, shaping volumes, softening textures, and accompanying the guest’s path through the space.

Despite its vertical presence, the building was conceived to feel close and inhabitable. Each proportion, each junction, was designed to balance monumentality with a more domestic perception of space. In the lobby, stone and metal surfaces coexist with wooden planes that provide a tactile counterpoint. The three reception volumes are concealed behind a sculptural wall, so that the first impression is that of a calm, residential lounge. Here, a work by artist Stefan Brüggemann extends along a Rochelle stone bench, introducing a quiet sense of tension through its reflections and scale.

Suspended above, a metallic grid organizes the lighting system—a constellation of lamps arranged in deliberate irregularity. Floating like a precise cloud, this structure contrasts the mineral density of the floor, introducing rhythm and lightness. From here, the space opens toward the Epicentro Mixology Bar, defined by brass-clad walls and lush vegetation that creates an organic dialogue with the metallic geometry.

One of the hotel’s most striking elements is the grand staircase connecting the first levels. Conceived as a habitable sculpture, it is fully wrapped in oak wood, generating an enveloping and fluid atmosphere. The undulating surfaces reinforce the sense of continuity—a gesture echoed in other areas, such as the pre-function halls and the reception backdrop. The staircase becomes a threshold, a transition between architectural monumentality and human scale, embodying the idea of tactility that defines the project.

On the upper levels, the Piso Club offers a private environment for breakfast or informal gatherings. Characterized by large wooden lattices filtering the light from the façade, the space captures a sense of serenity and clarity that feels almost tangible.The conference rooms express the project’s more technical side: a ceiling rail system allows the division and modulation of space for different events, while linear lighting and acoustic control preserve a sense of order and visual calm.

The guest rooms, designed with the studio’s characteristic linear language, continue the tactile narrative. Across seven room typologies, coherence and repetition guide the design. Wardrobes are concealed behind elongated handles that transform into slats, reinforcing continuity. The use of wood, stone, and carpet varies according to each room, while the corridors are lined with textile panels that enhance acoustics and introduce a subdued warmth.

More than the sensation of a hotel, the project reflects on how the warmth of a private home can be translated to a larger scale. The design aims to reproduce a sense of familiarity through materiality and attention to detail, while accommodating a high flow of people. This balance between the tactile and the functional defines a new understanding of hospitality.

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