Your architect is the most important hire in your Spanish building project. They design your home, obtain your permits, supervise your construction, and serve as your representative in a system you may not fully understand. Choosing the wrong architect means delays, cost overruns, and a home that does not match your vision. Here is what to evaluate.
Check registration with the Colegio de Arquitectos
In Spain, every architect must be registered (colegiado) with their regional Colegio de Arquitectos to legally sign building projects. This is non-negotiable. You can verify registration directly with the relevant Colegio. An unregistered architect cannot submit your project for a building permit — it will be rejected. Registration also means the architect carries professional insurance and is subject to the code of ethics and disciplinary procedures of their Colegio.
Experience with your project type and region
An architect who has built 50 apartments in Barcelona may not be the right fit for a luxury villa in Marbella. Look for demonstrated experience with your specific project type (detached villa, renovation, multi-unit) and in your specific region (each municipality has different planning rules). Ask to see completed projects, speak to previous clients, and visit built work if possible. Pay particular attention to projects built for international or Ukrainian clients — this shows the architect understands the cross-cultural communication and expectations involved.
Language and communication style
If you do not speak fluent Spanish, working with an architect who communicates in your language is not a luxury — it is a practical necessity. Misunderstandings in architecture cost real money: a wrong window position, a misinterpreted room layout, or unclear finish specifications can lead to expensive corrections. Olena Solodovnik communicates natively in Ukrainian and Russian, professionally in English, and collaborates with local Spanish architects who handle all official documentation and municipal interactions. This bilingual bridge model ensures nothing gets lost in translation while maintaining full legal compliance.
Red flags to watch for
Avoid architects who: demand full payment upfront, do not provide a clear written contract with deliverables and timelines, cannot show you completed and occupied projects, are evasive about their Colegio registration number, promise unrealistically short permit timelines, lack professional indemnity insurance, or discourage you from hiring independent supervision. A professional architect welcomes scrutiny — they are confident in their work and transparent about their process.