New Joinee – Marc Torres at XBD Collective

Marc Torres, who recently joined XBD Collective as Managing Partner is a seasoned architect with a unique career journey that has spanned continents and a diverse range of projects. Torres embarked on his architectural journey with a determination to gain a comprehensive understanding of the profession. Studying architecture at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, he sought to broaden his horizons by continuing his education in different countries, starting with Sao Paulo, Brazil. His scholarship at Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo, at the young age of 22, proved life changing as it exposed him to diverse design considerations beyond his homeland of Spain. Subsequent scholarships at EPFL Lausanne, Switzerland, and TU Berlin, Germany further enriched his architectural perspective.

After initial experiences in Spain, Torres ventured to the UK, working in a German-led practice before Marc Roca Bravo, a long-time acquaintance and Managing Partner at XBD since 2021, suggested to move to the United Arab Emirates. In Dubai, Torres played a pivotal role with international design consultancies such as Perkins + Will and Callison RTKL in projects focusing on hospitality, mixed-use developments, and residential buildings designed for clients across the region. Address Beach Resort Bahrain; Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain; Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah; and Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi carry Torres’ signature, just to name his most significant contributions to the architectural landscape of the GCC. Torres’ move to Australia, motivated by personal reasons, opened doors to a new world of architectural challenges, including cultural buildings, airports, and social and affordable housing. This shift allowed him to embrace a more diverse range of projects, aligning with the purposeful approach to design that characterises Australian architecture. 

He believes that the key to XBD’s success lies in understanding how the team can collectively develop the firm both internally and externally. This includes defining the company’s elevator pitch to the market, highlighting the qualities and strengths that set XBD apart from the competition. Torres eagerly anticipates the opportunity to collaborate with everyone at XBD, brainstorming and shaping the firm’s future direction. 

All these learnings will help Torres’ approach as he re-focuses on the Middle East, having been made Managing Partner at XBD.