Watch Dezeen creator-at-large Nino Ferrari-Mathis visit Piscina das Marés by Álvaro Siza and La Fábrica by Ricardo Bofill, and discuss the extension of the Crystal Bridges Museum with Moshe Safdie.
Shared across Dezeen’s social channels, Ferrari-Mathis recently created short films featuring both iconic architecture and hidden gems, such as La Fábrica and Dragonhill Residence by Jacques Couëlle.
The films are part of a collaboration with Nino Ferrari-Mathis that aims to bring Dezeen’s audiences the best of architecture around the world.
Join us on Ferrari-Mathis travels by following on Instagram – @dezeen and @ninosbuildings, and TikTok – @dezeen and @ninosbuildings.
Watch four recent films from Ferrari-Mathis below:
Crystal Bridges Museum by Safdie Architects
In September 2025, Nino Ferrari-Mathis visited the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, designed by Safdie Architects, meeting with Safdie himself to learn about the museum and its new expansion.
The museum in Bentonville, Arkansas, is set to be increased by 50 per cent to accommodate two new galleries connected by a bridge.
“This was unlike any other museum I have visited before,” Ferrari-Mathis told Dezeen.
“Safdie completely reimagines the gallery spaces and traditional circulation of an institution, creating an experience where art, architecture, and nature are woven into one.”
La Fábrica by Ricardo Bofill
In October 2025, Ferrari-Mathis travelled to Barcelona, Spain, to see La Fábrica by Bofill, a complex including the RBTA offices and Bofill’s family home.
Built within a dilapidated cement factory, Bofill’s renovation celebrates the original concrete details of the factory whilst adding in green roofs and lush gardens.
“Moving through old silos, staircases and carved concrete rooms, you really feel that nothing was erased, but only transformed,” Ferrari-Mathis recalled.
“The colour-coded rooms were my favourite part, as they showed how much thought the Bofill practice places on atmosphere and palette.”
Piscina das Marés by Álvaro Siza
In Autumn, Ferrari-Mathis journeyed to Porto, Portugal with Bologna-based design college, Yacademy to visit the Piscina das Marés created by Siza in 1966.
Built into the rocky coastline, the public saltwater tidal pool became a national monument in 2011.
“Piscina das Marés is one of the greatest examples of how an architect can quietly enhance landscape through architecture,” Ferrari-Mathis reflected.
“Siza balances concrete forms against the landscape with incredible precision, letting the water, wind, and stone shape the experience.”
Dragonhill Residence by Jacques Couëlle
On a recent trip to France, Ferrari-Mathis visited Dragonhill Residence designed by Jacques Couëlle, in Mouans-Sartoux – between Cannes and Mougins. Designed in 1964, the sculptural villa is now owned by two London gallerists, Joe Kennedy and Jonny Burt, who host artist residencies on site.
“Discovering the Dragonhill Residence felt like stumbling into a fairytale,” said Ferrari-Mathis. “Couëlle transforms traditional materials into organic forms that flow within the landscape.”
“His designs feel playful, sculptural, and utterly unique,” he continued. “Finding a hidden gem like this, rarely documented, and being able to share it with design lovers is exactly what makes this series with Dezeen so special to me.”
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