Luis Rodriguez, jury member of the 16th GANDIABLASCO Contest

Hola Luis, how are you? Thank you very much for being part of the jury for our contest. We would love to see you soon at La Casa Gandia Blasco.

As a highly creative and strategic person with a long career in communication, and currently serving as the Creative Director and Art Director of Spainmedia, we would like to hear your thoughts and delve deeper into this year’s competition theme: el the design of outdoor upholstered furniture, traditionally characteristic of indoor settings.

©Tapas Magazine. Forbes

We know you have a keen interest in organic farming, so we would like to focus the following questions on sustainability, ecology, and outdoor furniture design.

Luis Rodriguez interview

https://spainmedia.es/

From your experience in creative direction and content management, how do you see sustainability and ecological trends influencing outdoor furniture design?

The ecological reality compels us to take responsibility. Institutions, individuals, and companies must each contribute to reversing the damage to our planet.

Azuma Makoto.
©Tapas Magazine

The use of durable materials that pass quality controls and are committed to sustainability adds significant value to a brand’s perception. A premium brand should embrace this path.

What role do sustainability and ecology play in your design projects and your work at Forbes & Tapas Magazine?

More and more brands are committing to sustainability, and Spainmedia acts as an ally to amplify these commitments. It is crucial that brands genuinely commit to these views rather than just engage in greenwashing.

Ficus Lyrata. Man on the Moon
©Luis Rodríguez

What impact do you think sustainable furniture design can have on the fight against climate change?

Human activity impacts the environment, and minimising this impact should be a goal for companies and a demand from consumers. The accumulation of small, responsible actions can guide us toward reversing environmental damage.

I advocate for quality over quantity, producing long-lasting, well-crafted products that blend seamlessly with their surroundings.

Exhibition

©Enrique Metinides

How do you think the use of plants and natural elements can influence the design of outdoor upholstered furniture?

Landscape designers must prioritise the environment in which they are working, considering local species, their water needs, and using native plants. The aim is to create respectful projects where furniture integrates elegantly with the space.

Isabel Coixet / Central de Abastos
©Tapas Magazine

Gardens can either be marvels or follies. Sometimes, gardens are more about ostentation than a tribute to nature. It’s important for furniture to harmonise subtly with its surroundings.

Can you share any examples of how integrating plants into a design project has improved the end result?

There are wonderful landscape designers whose work I admire, such as Piet Oudolf’s New York High Line and Umberto Pasti’s dedicated work with endangered plants in northern Morocco. I highly recommend his book, Lost in Paradise.

Azuma Makoto.
©Tapas Magazine

Human beings often consider themselves the centre of the universe, but it’s time to shift this anthropocentric view. I respect gardeners, landscapers, and designers who adopt this perspective.

Thank you very much!