Welcome
COBAR Design & Architecture
Av. Tibidabo 50 Westcroft Sq. 51
info@cobar.es info@cobar.es
Barcelona London
COBAR is an architecture and design studio born from decades of global experience working alongside some of the most influential architects of our time, after the right opportunities came along to bring this unique breadth of experience into our own work.
Our intent is to transform complexity into simplicity, instill a deep sense of meaning, and craft spaces of enduring quality.
Team
German De la Torre
Managing Director and founder
German De la Torre
Managing Director and founder
German is a trained architect with over 28 years of experience across masterplanning, architectural design, and project delivery, having worked on the design, construction, and management of complex international projects. He progressed from architect and designer roles to Managing Director, leading the delivery of major urban, architectural, and interiors projects across the UK, USA, Middle East, Russia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and South America.
He has completed studies in business administration, finance, and leadership, and now serves as a company executive following two decades at globally recognised design and architecture firms including Foster + Partners, Richard Rogers Partnership (both Pritzker Prize–winning practices), Heatherwick Studio, and most recently Bjarke Ingels Group, where he was Managing Director for the Southern Region.
In recent years, German has overseen full company operations and business development across Southern Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of the Middle East.
He has also led the delivery of major global projects including the Google campuses in Mountain View and Sunnyvale (over 5.5 million sq ft), and a major mixed-use masterplan in San Jose, California, covering 85 acres with residential, office, commercial, hotel, event, and infrastructure components.
He has held leadership positions during the development of landmark projects including 3 World Trade Center (New York), Apple Park in Cupertino, California, the Leadenhall Building (London), the Buenos Aires City Hall (formerly a bank headquarters), and the 23-acre Wood Wharf masterplan in London.
He has completed studies in business administration, finance, and leadership, and now serves as a company executive following two decades at globally recognised design and architecture firms including Foster + Partners, Richard Rogers Partnership (both Pritzker Prize–winning practices), Heatherwick Studio, and most recently Bjarke Ingels Group, where he was Managing Director for the Southern Region.
In recent years, German has overseen full company operations and business development across Southern Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of the Middle East.
He has also led the delivery of major global projects including the Google campuses in Mountain View and Sunnyvale (over 5.5 million sq ft), and a major mixed-use masterplan in San Jose, California, covering 85 acres with residential, office, commercial, hotel, event, and infrastructure components.
He has held leadership positions during the development of landmark projects including 3 World Trade Center (New York), Apple Park in Cupertino, California, the Leadenhall Building (London), the Buenos Aires City Hall (formerly a bank headquarters), and the 23-acre Wood Wharf masterplan in London.
Mauricio Ortega Gómez
Senior Architect & Landscape Specialist
Mauricio Ortega Gómez
Senior Architect & Landscape Specialist
Graduated from Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá (2000), he gained early professional experience with Carlos Ferrater in Barcelona and through the Cátedra Blanca at ETSAB–UPC (1999–2000). He began his career in Medellín and Bogotá, working with Promotora de Proyectos C.S.F S.A and leading studios including Daniel Bonilla Arquitectos, Giancarlo Mazzanti, and MGP Muñoz González Pacheco (2000–2005).
In 2012, he completed a Master’s in Landscape Architecture at ETSAB–UPC and a Master’s in Healthcare Architecture Design at UOC Barcelona. Since 2007, he has been actively teaching at several universities.
In 2012, he completed a Master’s in Landscape Architecture at ETSAB–UPC and a Master’s in Healthcare Architecture Design at UOC Barcelona. Since 2007, he has been actively teaching at several universities.
Germán Ortega
Senior Architect & Urbanism Specialist
Germán Ortega
Senior Architect & Urbanism Specialist
Graduated from Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá (2003), he began his professional career in Bogotá, working with construction and design firms including Arias Serna Sarabia and studios led by Juan García, Iván Baquerizo, Daniel Bonilla, and Juan Pablo Ortiz.
He holds a European Master in Urbanism (EMU) from the IUAV University of Venice (2011), a Master’s in Urban Design and Planning from UPC Barcelona (2012), and completed the Advanced Programme in Urban Development Financing Management at Universidad del Rosario (2021).
Since 2013, he has been a professor at an architectural faculty and has served as Municipal Secretary of Planning.
He holds a European Master in Urbanism (EMU) from the IUAV University of Venice (2011), a Master’s in Urban Design and Planning from UPC Barcelona (2012), and completed the Advanced Programme in Urban Development Financing Management at Universidad del Rosario (2021).
Since 2013, he has been a professor at an architectural faculty and has served as Municipal Secretary of Planning.