Urko Sanchez Architects

Since establishing Urko Sánchez Architects in 2007, we have cultivated a globally diverse team that draws from a rich cultural discourse to influence our architectural practice. With studios in Madrid and Nairobi, we have executed landmark projects across Africa and the Middle East. Notably, our work on the Jeddah Culture Square exemplifies our commitment to fostering cultural exchange through architecture, serving as a modern embodiment of the rich heritage and ongoing dialogues of the “Arabs of the Sea.” This approach ensures that each of our architectural endeavors not only respects but also revitalizes the enduring legacies of the sites we engage with, crafting spaces that are both timeless and deeply rooted in their specific cultural context. We have garnered widespread recognition for our architectural contributions, evident through a multitude of prestigious awards. In 2025, the Nairobi Waldorf School received the Spanish La Casa de la Arquitectura prize in the Ephemeral Architecture category. In 2022, we received the International Property Awards Africa for Best Sustainable Residential Development and Best Residential High-Rise Development in Ethiopia for the Kefita Tower. In 2019, we were proud finalists for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture with the SOS Children’s Village, demonstrating our commitment to socially responsible design. That same year, we won the Baku International Architecture Award for Best Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Historic Buildings and Sites with our Swahili Dreams project in Lamu Apartments. Our earlier projects—The Red Pepper House and Vipingo Club House—have been widely celebrated, demonstrating our long-standing excellence in crafting architecture that is deeply integrated with cultural and environmental context.