Palacios
&
Penasse

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

Even though we aren’t originally from here—Chris comes from Belgium and Ana from Colombia—the place we truly call home is Valencia. We’ve been living here for a long time; Ana for over twenty years, and Chris a little less. For the past five years, we’ve had the wonderful privilege of living in a house in the countryside of Valencia (Huerta Valenciana), just five kilometers outside the city. It’s a magical place surrounded by fields where we have the perfect balance: our studio and workshop are on the ground floor, and our home is just upstairs. From this peaceful sanctuary, we work completely internationally; currently, the vast majority of our projects are based either in Paris or the Middle East.

Where is your studio located & how does it look?

Our studio is located on the ground floor of our home, which is a classic, historic Valencian country house known as an alquería. We’ve carefully preserved the authentic essence of this old building, keeping the original brickwork, traditional ceramic tiles, hydraulic flooring, and ornate architectural details. The studio spans about 200 square meters. The front section is dedicated to our office spaces, while the back opens up into our workshop and a beautiful interior courtyard. It’s an incredibly versatile space—in the mornings, Ana uses the courtyard for her workouts, but it can easily transform into a setting for an intimate dinner or a full-scale photoshoot later in the day.

Are there any projects that are personally important to you—whether recently completed or currently in progress?

Every single one of our projects is deeply important to us because each represents a milestone in our career, a growth in our portfolio, and a new relationship with the people we design for. If we had to highlight a completed project, our own home is naturally our personal masterpiece. However, looking at our current work in progress, we are designing the communal and study areas for a museum in Saudi Arabia, which is easily one of our most significant ongoing projects. We are also about to launch a very exciting café in Cairo, Egypt, called ’60 Kg,’ which opens shortly. Closer to home, we recently unveiled the first showroom for Maora Ceramic right here in Valencia. On top of that, we have the immense honor of being named ambassadors for Maison & Objet Paris this year, where we are designing both the main entrance installation and a special exhibition for Paris Design Week.

Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

Depending on the day, there are a few places we absolutely love. We highly enjoy walking all the way to the Valencia beach—it’s a fantastic five-kilometer hike, and with the local weather, it’s perfect for clearing your head before finishing the day with a paella by the sea. For that area, we always recommend La Fábrica de Hielo, a great spot to grab a drink or a sandwich while enjoying live music and a vibrant atmosphere right next to the beach. Another favorite ritual of ours is heading to the city center for breakfast; we love going to Federal, which is the perfect spot for a weekend brunch. For an evening plan, we head straight to El Cabañal, an old, historic fisherman’s neighborhood by the sea. There, we usually go to a place we actually designed ourselves called La Sastrería, where you can enjoy incredible local food in a space uniquely tailored by Masquespacio.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

Valencia is an incredibly pleasant city to live in—it’s very safe, has beautiful weather year-round, and offers a wonderful, relaxed quality of life. After the pandemic, it became a fantastic opportunity for people looking for a better lifestyle. However, this immense appeal has also brought challenges. So many expats and foreigners have been drawn to the city that it has driven up housing prices significantly. This has created a real issue for the local population. Because Valencia is a relatively small economy, local salaries generally haven’t kept pace with this influx, making it increasingly difficult for locals to afford buying or renting a home in their own city.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

It’s important to note that Valencia isn’t a city that changes overnight; it has historically maintained a strong philosophy of preserving its traditions. This has led to a very interesting and positive evolution, particularly in the hospitality sector. Over the last few years, most restaurants have shifted their focus toward high-quality, locally sourced products, which we find incredibly inspiring. On the other hand, as I mentioned, the city has struggled to balance its growth. While we absolutely love the diversity that the arrival of international residents brings, the infrastructure hasn’t responded with an increase in available housing, leaving locals with fewer options to access affordable homes.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

Maora Ceramic recently inaugurated their very first showroom in the center of Valencia. They are true artisans of handmade terracotta tiles, preserving ancient, time-honored techniques where absolutely nothing is industrialized—everything is crafted by hand, meaning any custom detail is possible. They have been an incredible partner in many of our projects, and we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with them on several occasions. Their work embodies the exact reality and humanity we constantly search for in design, and without a doubt, anyone who visits their showroom will fall completely in love with their product.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

Perhaps what makes Valencia most authentic is its way of life; the locals truly have ‘slow life’ embedded in their DNA. While it might be a passing trend in other parts of the world, here it is simply reality, and you instantly feel that energy when you arrive. On the flip side, the city also features incredibly innovative, architectural marvels. In that regard, we have to highlight the City of Arts and Sciences, designed by Santiago Calatrava, which stands as a monumental architectural achievement.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

For an exceptional dining experience, we highly recommend Bouet. They specialize in a fantastic fusion of Asian and Mediterranean flavors, and it’s consistently one of our top choices when we want to enjoy a special evening out.

When it comes to the best desserts we recommend to visit one of Dulce de Leche’s boutiques.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

We love a shop called Simple. We’d describe it as a place that gathers incredible handcrafted products from all over Spain, not just locally from Valencia. Everything there is made by hand and has a beautiful, authentic story behind it.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

Glovo – for food orders
Uber – for transport
Emt-Valencia – to check bus hours

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

When it comes to staying updated on local news, Valencia Plaza is definitely the go-to source. Personally, most of the media I consume is focused heavily on design, but when I do read general news, I find myself turning to El País. That said, my reading habits have evolved recently; I am increasingly connecting with independent journalists on Substack, where I can find deeper, more nuanced perspectives.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

In some parts of the old town, it’s clear there hasn’t been a cohesive urban planning strategy regarding commercial signage. This lack of regulation leaves a very beautiful, historic architectural backdrop looking somewhat chaotic. The first thing I would do is implement strict guidelines for shopfront signs, ensuring they are seamlessly integrated into the facades to create a visually harmonious city center. On top of that, because I absolutely love color, I would paint all the historic houses in vibrant tones to breathe new life into the streets.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

Of all the places we’ve visited, Bali is definitely the one that stole our hearts. It has a little bit of everything we love—a modern, healthy lifestyle, incredible architecture, and top-tier craftsmanship. There’s just so much great design everywhere you look. Plus, the Balinese people are amazing, and the spiritual energy of the island is unmatched. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind place.