David Martí’s father is a technical architect so it was inevitable that he would follow in the family footsteps. In 1983, right when the island was at the beginning of a tourism and building boom, his father was offered a job here. Not long after, David, his brother and mother moved from their native Valencia to start a new life. Years later, David joined the ranks at Blakstad, sealing the family’s connection to Ibiza’s architectural history.
Your family moved to Ibiza because your father was offered a job here. What did he do?
At first, he was offered a position leading a new build then after that, he became a municipal architect for Sant Antoni de Portmany. That was in 1983, and the next year we all moved here to stay.
What or who influenced you to choose this career?
Because of my dad, ever since I was little, I have been exposed to the concepts of architecture and visited building sites and so on. I wasn’t a very good student at school, but I really liked architectural drawing and I decided that studying drafting would be a good idea. My father has definitely been a big influence on me and is the one who helped me most in my career.
Had you heard of Blakstad before working here? If so, how?
Yes, of course, it is a nationally and internationally known architecture studio. Before I joined the team, I had already been connected to it through collaborations creating infographics and renders for some projects
I get to the office, I review the pending work and if a new, more urgent task has arisen, I discuss it with colleagues who may be working on the same project. Together we organise the tasks between each team member and decide on what to prioritise so that we can meet our deadlines.
What do you like most about your job?
Being able to make clients’ dreams come true.
What do you like about working at Blakstad?
I love the dimensions of the projects, and the spaces we create. And of course, the environment in the office and collaboration between the entire team.
What do you find most challenging?
Being able to meet the expectations that clients have.
If you could go anywhere in the world to experience architecture and design, where would you go and why?
I like big, modern buildings, with clean lines, so I would go to cities where I could find that kind of architecture. Places like New York, Singapore and Dubai.
What do you like the most about living and working in Ibiza?
That after work, you are never more than a few minutes away from a beautiful beach or the countryside. I love the tranquillity of the months on either side of the summer season and, at times, I do enjoy the noise of those summer months too.
