Martha Thorne and Benedetta Tagliabue have much in common; both are prominent figures in the world of contemporary architecture, members of the Pritzker Prize jury -of which Martha is also Director-, and both consider Spain to be not only their adoptive country but also their home.

Martha, as Dean of IE School of Architecture & Design, has a special role in this project; she has been one of its key drivers. Her role in selecting and inviting the architectural practices involved has also been instrumental to its success.

Both Sheila Cremaschi, Director of the Hay Festival Segovia, and David Venables, European Director of AHEC -the two other project partners-, knew that Martha had to be one of the inspirers. After accepting the challenge, Martha decided instantly that Benedetta would be the ideal architect to discover and shape her dream. With the enthusiastic “yes” from Benedetta, both faced this unusual task with a contagious joy and creativity.

Martha recalls that Benedetta and she had a first meeting at her Madrid home. This is where they began to explore what her dream was. “At first I didn’t have a clear idea. We started talking about my lifestyle, the kind of activities I do daily and the things I value; and we came to the conclusion that what I value most is the time I spend with my friends. They are like my family in Spain and, although the time we share sometimes is limited, because we’re often traveling for work, when we do meet I like it to be in a comfortable environment in which the focus is on sharing. And where can you share best – whether food, a book, a cup of coffee, or a nice break- than around a table”.