Studio Banana, C/Plátano 14, 28029, Madrid, Spain
www.studio-kg.com
info@studio-kg.com

Key Portilla-Kawamura, founder and partner (Oviedo, Spain, 1979) (kpk)
Ali Ganjavian Afshar, founder and partner (Teheran, Iran, 1979) (aga)
Milos Jovanovic, collaborator (Sokobanja, Serbia, 1977)
Lu Lu, collaborator (Tianjin, China, 1984)

E d u c a t i o n

Key Portilla-Kawamura
2001–2003
Architectural Association School of Architecture, London, UK
Postgraduate Diploma Course, commended for Honours
5th year, dip unit 1, tutor Charles Tashima
Quito, a Retroactive Simulacrum
Honours in Technical Studies (A DIY landscape for Quito)
Honours in General Studies (Displaced topographies or how hills can move)
4th year, dip unit 10, tutor Carlos Villanueva-Brandt
space search engine©, paths of action, the 30 minutes museum
High pass in General Studies (Liquid Exodus)
1997–2000
University of East London, International School of Architecture, London, UK
Graduated with BSc in Architecture, First Class Honours Degree
3rd year, unit g, tutor Mark Hayduk,
on the level, the story of a changing landscape
2nd year, unit h, tutor Peter Hasdell,
Southwark liminal

Ali Ganjavian
2004-2005
Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid
Master course in communication
2002-2004
Royal College of Art, London, UK
Postgraduate Master in Space and Architecture
2th year, ADS4, tutor Fiona Raby, Nigel Coates, Ron Arad
Waisternisation
awarded with excellences in design
1st year, ADS4, tutor Fiona Raby, Nigel Coates, Ron Arad
Wasternisation
2001-2002
Cooper Union, New York, USA
Out Reach practice and theory of spatial photography
1998-2001
University of East London, International School of Architecture, London, UK
Graduated with BSc in Architecture, 2.1 Honours Degree
3rd year, unit g, tutor Mark Hayduk
New Skin, landscape proposal in Alpujarras, Spain
2nd year, unit g, tutor Julian Cripps
Revitalising Ayenager, New Delhi, India

P r o f e s s i o n a l e x p e r i e n c e

2000–
kawamura-ganjavian, founders and partners, Madrid, Spain
Projects:
036_Tabakalera competition, San Sebatián-Donosti, Spain (2008)
Transformation of tobacco factory into cultural centre
In collaboration with Carlos Manzano Arquitectos
035_Parque de los Pinos, Madrid (2008)
Design of multipurpose kiosk inside a park
034_Alterpolis, Madrid (2008)
Reflections about the utopian city
033_Black Mountains (2007-2008)
Permanent exhibition space
In collaboration with Dan Holdsworth
032_Palace Hotel, Madrid (2008)
Refurbishment of hotel ball room
031_PSI pavilion
030_Asturegion Terriotorial Laboratory, Asturias (2007-2008)
Regional mapping and strategic planning
029_Re-Liquido, Gijón, Spain (2008)
Refurbishment of art gallery
028_Heineken offices, Madrid (2008)
Refurbishment of corporate office space
In collaboration with Ramiro Losada
027_Marcau, Ilanz, Switzerland (2008)
Multipurpose activity centre
In collaboration with Capaul und Blumental architekten
026_Psychiatric Clinic, Aravaca, Madrid (2008)
025_Ahmad-T, Southampton, UK (2007)
Architectural consultancy
024_Tank, Madrid (2007–2008)
Transformation of flat into loft and audiovisual workshop,
023_LightHouse, Madrid (2007–2008)
Single family house in Puerta de Hierro
In collaboration with Pedro Quero
022_Studio Banana, Madrid (2007)
Transformation of garage into multidisciplinary creative studio
021_Rincón Malillo, Jérez, Spain (2007)
Transformation of winery into art foundation
In collaboration with Alfonso Merry del Val
020_Infomab, Madrid (2007)
Information Centre for Madrid Abierto, comissioned by Cemusa
019_Cyberspaces, La Laboral Art Centre, Gijón, Spain (2007)
Design for a digital art exhibition curated by Ars Electronica
In collaboration with Pedro Quero
018_Smoke House (2006)
Concept proposal for Planless House compeitition, JA magazine
017_Somao, Asturias, Spain (2006)
Single family house, Concept Design
016_ Light as you Move (2006)
Interactive prototype for Phillips illumination competition
015_ Locutorio Colón, Madrid (2006–2007)
Public art piece commissioned by Madrid Abierto, Summary book
014_ Rampas, Navacerrada, Spain (2006)
Sculpture competition
In collaboration with Tadanori Yamaguchi and Maki Portilla Kawamura
013_Li-Mac, Musac art centre, León, Spain (2005)
Installation for art exhibition
In collaboration with artist Sandra Gamarra
012_ Le Home 67, Paris, France (2005)
Transformation of flat
011_ Le Home 12, Paris, France (2005)
Transformation of flat
010_Vista House, Tenzuela, Spain (2005)
009_La Nave, Madrid (2004-2005)
Information centre
008_ Symmetrical Simulacrum, Madrid (2005)
Winning entry in public art competition, not executed
In collaboration with Maki Portilla Kawamura and Tadanori Yamaguchi
007_ Cranbrook Lighthouse, London, UK (2004)
RIBA residential competition, collaboration with Harry Patikas
006_ Musik didaktik, Shedhalle Gallery, Zurich, Switzerland (2003)
Mediatech for digital music exhibition
005_Nile Street, London, UK (2003)
Refurbishment of Victorian loft apartment
004_Space Search Engine, London, UK (2002)
Urban mapping and temporary occupation agency
003_ Mirador bajo la escombrera, Turón, Asturias, Spain (2002–2004)
Room inside a slag heap, Morés ideas competition, Winning entry
executed by Principado de Asturias
002_ARCO art fair project, Madrid, Spain (2002)
Spatial configuration of art fair
001_ Horizontal archaeology, Ham Park Road, London, UK (2000–2001)
Restoration of Victorain house and attic in the East End

Product design prototypes:

B019_Caterpillar (2008)
Acquired by EACC museum, Castelló, Spain
B018_Read-in-peace (2008)
Acquired by EACC museum, Castelló, Spain
B017_StickingRings (2008)
Awarded first prize in the 2008 Young Designers Contest of Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
B016_No-Bullshit Chair (2008)
B015_StickingSticks (2008)
Exhibited at Nous Architecture Gallery, London, UK
Exhibited at Valencia Design Fair, Valencia, Spain
Exhibited at the EACC museum, Castelló, Spain
Exhibited at Casa Pasarela Design Fair, Madrid, Spain
B014_Plug on collection (2007)
Featured in the Gwangju Design Biennale, Korea
B013_Heat me (2007)
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B012_Solar Plug (2007)
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B011_U.N. socket (2007)
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B010_Beep free (2007)
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B009_Water time (2007)
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B008_Eat with your fingers (2007)
Shortlisted in the Dining in 2015 Design Boom competition
Shown at the Perdidos exhibition, COAM, Madrid, Spain
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B007_Refrigerating Tray (2006)
Shown at the Perdidos exhibition, COAM, Madrid, Spain
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B006_Divide it (2006)
Shown at the Perdidos exhibition, COAM, Madrid, Spain
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B005_Dim light (2006)
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B004_Speaker wall (2005)
Shown at the Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
B003_Kaleidolight (2005)
Finalist Bombay Sapphire glass competition, Travelling exhibition
B002_Tomato case (2004)
B001_Dolly Domestic (2003)
Shown at the Perdidos exhibition, COAM, Madrid, Spain

Research projects:

017_World Grammar (2006-)
Global dictionary of non-global objects
016_More (2006)
Film, in collaboration with Alfonso Merry
015_Urban Watermarks, Madrid (2006)
Aquatic features in the city
In collaboration with Diego Gronda and Clara Mata.
014_Paper Mad (2004)
Film
013_Newland (2006)
Mobile botanical islands
012_Waiternistation
011_Wasternisation
010_Talking Fish (2002)
Reality distortion
009_Quito, Retroactive Simulacrum (2002-2003)
Territorial project and construction technique research
008_Volcanic Ash (2003)
Material investigation
007_Willow (2000)
Material investigation and installation
006_Cow Dung (2000)
Material investigation
005_30 Minutes Museum (2002)
004_Mother Ceiling (2001)
Material investigation and installation
003_Plastic (2000-2001)
Material investigation
002_Rammed Earth (2000-2001)
Material investigation
001_Stranded (1999)
Reality distortion

2004–2007

Herzog & de Meuron, Basel and Barcelona (kpk)
Camp Nou, Barcelona (2007)
Stadium competition, participation as Team member (TM)
The Clearings, London (2007)
Mixed-use intervention in 1920’s buildings, Project leader (PL)
Torres Burgos, Spain (2006–2007)
Mixed use towers, Schematic Design, Design Development, PL
Masterplan for Burgos, Spain (2004–2006)
Strategic planning proposal, PL
Espacio Goya, Zaragoza (2006)
Museum competition, Winning entry, TM
Ribera del Río Manzanares, Madrid (2005)
Landscape design competition, TM
Plaza de España, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (2004)
Public square landscape design, Construction document, TM
Nuevo muelle, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (2004)
Ferry Terminal design, Design Development, TM

2004-2005
Member of PSI&CO, architecture ideas lab, Madrid (aga)
Several urban planning and housing projects

2004
FEM , Feria Edición Madrid (co-curator), Madrid

2003–2004
Pedro Quero architecture studio, Oviedo, Spain (kpk)
Universidad Laboral, Gijón (2003–2004)
Restoration project of tower and plaza, Construction Document
Universidad Laboral, Gijón (2004)
Car park and gardens, Design Development
Hotel Don Paco, Llanes, Asturias (2004)
Competition for Restoration of historic hotel, Winning entry
ESTAVOL, Sanxenxo, Galicia (2004)
Competition for volunteering work centre, 4th prize
Empresa Municipal de la Vivienda, Adelfas, Madrid (2004)
Competition for social housing block
Man Museum, Camelle, Galicia (2003–2004)
Competition for sculpture museum
Aula Forestal, Modoñedo, Galicia (2003)
Competition for eucalyptus forestry centre
Pista deportiva, Luiña, Asturias (2003)
Competition for design of rural sports hall

2002–2003
Camello, Oviedo (2003)
Competition for design of mass-production chair, Winning entry
Echoic Bundle, Madrid (2003)
Belltower in disused water tower, Public art competition, 2nd prize
Cross-view mirrors, Alto de la Madera, Asturias (2002–2003)
Competition for interventions along a motorway, Winning entry
organised by Principado de Asturias, not executed

2001-2002
Lee/Winpenny design associates, New York (aga)
Several housing and interiors projects
Marco Brambilla New York (aga)
product design and stenographic design
Moh Pictures, MTV, New York (aga)
production of shorts
plat-form architects, London (kpk)
Several public-space and landscape projects

2001
Kazuyo Sejima - SANAA studio, Tokyo (kpk)
Breeze of Air project, Rotterdam
Competition for office building bvk, Zurich

PHAB architects, London (kpk)
Europan 6 competition, Mendrisio, Switzerland
Oslo Architecture Triennale

2000
Union theatre, London (kpk)
Tube, Stage set and lighting design for theatre play

Florian Beigel / ARU, London (kpk)
Black fields in Witznitz Brikettfabrik, Germany (2000)
Landscape project in former coal brick factory
Biblioteca ESTAB, Barcelona (2000)
Competition for new library at School of Architecture

1999–2002
Professional projects as architecture students
The 30 minutes museum, London, 2002
Performance and stroll through the East End
In collaboration with choreographer Luis Gallo Mudarra
Limestone steps, Oviedo, 2001
In collaboration with sculptor Tadanori Yamaguchi
Batalla, Oviedo, 1998
Ortophotographic reproduction of wall frescoes
In collaboration with painter Fernando García-Vela
Summer pavilion, London, 1998
UEL School of Architecture competition, Winning entry
Execution under the supervision of Michael Jones

T e a c h i n g

2007-2008
Universidad Politécnica, Madrid, Spain
Tutors of Master course Self Design

2007
Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio, Switzerland
Assistant of Professor Martin Boesch, 4th and 5th year

2006-
Istituto Europeo di Design, Madrid, Spain
Tutors of European Design Lab master course 2008-2009
Tutors of European Design Lab master course 2007-2008
Tutors of Furniture Design master course 2006-2007

2004
Cartographic Fantasies, Kassel, Germany
Geography workshop, Kassel University
The London Docklands, a post-infrastructural landscape, London, UK
Study trip to London, Kassel University

T e x t s

2008
Inside Information
Chapter in the book Slightly Urban about artist Renate Buser
Published by Christoph Merian Verlag, Basel, Switzerland

2007
Locutorio Colón
Monographic book on the homonymous project
published by Fundación Telefónica and Madrid Abierto, Madrid, Spain
Cabinet, Cage, Stage
Chapter in the book Artificialy Deconstructed, about artist Wesley Meuris
Published by Dexia and Cultuurcentrum Brugge, Brugge, Belgium

2005
Almost Nothing
Article in Arconoticias magazine, Madrid, Spain
Heimat
Interview by Frederike Hansen, in the book Heim Again
Published byBergen National Academy of the Arts, Bergen, Norway

2004
About hybrids, vortexes, what happened and what could have happened
Article, Arconoticias magazine, Madrid, Spain
Sublime Art and Contemporary Culture magazine
Editor of architecture section, Gijón, Spain
Alai
Article, Sublime Art and Contemporary Culture magazine, Gijón, Spain

2003
Fields, topologies and surrenders
Article on the piece Time Lapse by Francis Alÿs, Arconoticias magazine 26, Madrid, Spain

2002
Urban pentagram
Article on the piece Zebra by Juan Carlos Robles, Arconoticias magazine 24, Madrid, Spain

2001
On cabinets, hosts and zooks
Article, Arconoticias magazine 21, Madrid, Spain

2000
The best 100 of the year
Interview, Building Design magazine, London, UK

1998–9
Beyond performance and installation art
Article, La Nueva España newspaper, Oviedo, Spain
The poetic silence sculpture
Article, La Voz de Asturias newspaper, Oviedo, Spain

E x h i b i t i o n s , l e c t u r e s a n d f o r a

2008
Re-fresh, Madrid, Spain
Lecture inside the Madrid Architecture Week agenda
Habitat Valencia Design Fair, Valencia, Spain
Exhibition of StickingSticks pavilion and design prototypes
Nous Gallery, London, UK
Exhibition of StickingRings pavilion project
Alterpolis, Madrid, Spain
Presentation of Alterpolis project, Matadero
Forum Skopje, Macedonia
Lecture and debate in urban seminar
Re-Activate, EACC, Castelló, Spain
Exhibition of StickingSticks pavilion and of Locutorio Colón project
Casa Pasarela Design Fair, Madrid, Spain
Exhibition of StickingSticks
Excursions in the City, Skopje, Macedonia
Lecture in Tocka Cultural Centre
Un-Defining Architecture, Skopje, Macedonia
Lecture at Faculty of Architecture, University of Saint Methodius and Saint Cyril
Perdidos, COAM Foundation, Madrid, Spain
Exhibition of World Grammar project and design prototypes
Activities coordination in Studio Banana Cultural Association, Madrid, Spain
Coordinators of cultural agenda:
cinema sessions
exhibitions (Benjamín Torres, Óscar Shocking, Lidija Kolovrat, Nomonotono)
lectures (Ingrid Hora, El Último Grito, Juan Herreros, Pablo Valbuena, Mad PechaKucha I and II…)
actions (Viaje con Andrés, Banana Jam I and II)

2007
Studio Banana, Bregenza, Austria
Lecture, at Kunsthaus Bregenz, Z Connection summit
Children in Space, Madrid, Spain
Domesticity and space workshop with 8 young children, Galería Artificial
Salone Sattelite, Milan, Italy
Exhibition of design Prototypes during the Milan Design Week
PH 02, Pesoz, Asturias, Spain
Landscape and territory workshop, design tutors
Film: Argul, Event: I Light Festival

2006
Quito, Retroactive Simulacrum lecture, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Lecture, First Architecture, Landscape and Art Biennale of the Canary Islands
Colegio de Arquitectos de las Islas Canarias, invited by Antonio Zaya (RIP)

2005
Spaces for Art, Madrid, Spain
Round table, Director and moderator, ARCO, Madrid
In collaboration with Arie Graafland
Guests: Nelson Brissac, Jorge Fernández, Dagmar Reichert, Michael Müller, Christine Boyer
The Post-Museum, Coruña, Spain
Lecture, International University Menéndez Pelayo Summer School
From the Post-Museum to the Post-Industry, Avilés, Spain
Opening lecture at the Symposium Contenedores de Arte, Ayuntamiento de Avilés

2004
Epic landscapes, Avilés, Spain
Lecture, Oviedo University Summer School on Industrial Heritage, Spain
Fly Utopia at Transmediale.04, Berlin, Germany
Royal College of Art BioLand exhibition, Haus der Kulturen der Welt

2003
Urban gazes, Urbans rumours, Madrid, Spain
Round table, Director and moderador, ARCO, Madrid;
In collaboration with Luisa Sánchez-Cleves
Guests: Juan Carlos Robles, Erik Göngrich, Jonathan Wimpenny
space search engine©, Zürich, Switzerland
Exhibition and lecture, Critique is not Enough, Shedhalle Gallery
La Nuova Agorá, book edited by Dagmar Reichert, Biella–Zurich

2002
Six artifices, six, Aranjuez, Spain
Lecture, Rey Juan Carlos University Summer School
space search engine©, Biella, Italy
Exhibition and lecture Nuova Agorá, curator Dagmar Reichert
Cittadellarte / Fondazione Pistoletto
Projects Review dip 10 and Departure, London, UK
Coordinator of exhibitions, Architectural Association, London
The dilemma of the exhibition space, Madrid, Spain
Round table, Director and moderator ARCO, Madrid
In collaboration with Vicente Salvador
Guests: Tony Fretton, Adam Caruso, Arie Graafland, tOmi Scheiderbauer

2001
Mother Ceiling
Installatin at Holbrook House, University of East London

2000
Willow
Installation at Holbrook House, University of East London
In collaboration with Lina Meister

A w a r d s , s c h o l a r s h i p s , t i t l e s

2008
Young designers Award, category product design, Ayuntamiento de Madrid
Winning entry, StickingRings

2008
Alterpolis – Intermediae, Madrid
Selected for participation

2007-2008
Dining in 2015, Design Boom
Shortlisted entry, Eat with your fingers

2006
Bombay Sapphire Glass Design Competition, London
Shortlisted entry, Kaleidolight

2005
Madrid Abierto award

2004
Chartered architects at the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid
RIBA-ARB, part II title (Ali Ganjavian)
Future Selves award, category health, Helen Hamlyn Research Centre
Awarded for the proposal Fortifying foods

2003
RIBA-ARB, part II title (Key Portilla-Kawamura)
Special prize Pimlico, Architectural Association, London
To the essay Displaced topographies or how hills can move

2002
Minimum prize, Fondazione Pistoletto, Biella
Second prize of the jury Nuova Agorá (towards a responsible social transformation)

2001-2003
Architectural Association
Bursary for non-British students, London

2001-2
Cajastur
Bursary for young artists and designers, Oviedo

2001
Madrid Games 2012
Bursary for international architecture workshop, Madrid, SANAA team

2001
RIBA-ARB, part I title with 2.1 Honors (Ali Ganjavian)

2000
RIBA-ARB, part I title with First Class Honors (Key Portilla-Kawamura)
Special prize Head of School, University of East London
Awarded by Professor Peter Salter

S k i l l s

Team work
Project leading
Teaching skills
Curatorial - organizational experience
Languages
Spanish, mother tongue
English, mother tongue
Farsi, mother tongue
Italian, very fluent
French, fluent, DELF4
German, basic
Japanese, basic