RIOS Creative Director Spotlight: Sebastian Salvadó

I draw a lot of inspiration from Latin America: the colors, textures, and honesty of materials, the way nature and architecture coexist. There’s a deep respect for craft there, and a willingness to use humble, low-tech materials in refined, modern ways. That combination of timeless and contemporary is something I carry into every project. It’s about creating homes that feel grounded yet forward-looking, familiar yet elevated.

I’m always drawn to projects that bring people closer to the land and the rhythms of daily life. My inspiration comes from engaging with the outdoors, especially through surfing, where I’m completely immersed in the movement of the ocean. That feeling of being in the wilderness translates directly into architecture.

A current project in Santa Monica Canyon embodies this. The site has an incredible history tied to bohemian and artistic culture, and it naturally invites indoor-outdoor living. We’re designing the home around wellness and connection to the landscape. Terraces, deep overhangs, and organic materials allow it to sit comfortably within its hillside setting. The goal is to create spaces that feel grounded, calm, and deeply connected to place, much like being in the ocean.

Working across scales keeps you honest. Designing homes teaches you how people live—what brings them comfort, what connects them to place. Designing public or commercial projects expands that thinking to communities. Both are about creating environments that support life in meaningful ways, whether it’s a family’s daily rituals or a neighborhood’s shared public space. The lessons from one inform the other: residential work benefits from the civic scale’s sense of openness, while urban projects are enriched by the intimacy of home. 

Homes are becoming complete ecosystems: places where we work, rest, play, and recharge. The home now supports every facet of our lives, and that’s shifting priorities toward flexibility, daylight, and access to nature. There’s a renewed love for spaces that feel tactile, natural, and emotionally calm. You see it in the return of warm materials like travertine, terracotta, and soft neutrals. It’s less about perfection and more about authenticity. 

I’ve recently been rediscovering Brazilian marbles, their incredible color and pattern, and the cultural richness behind how they have been used. I’m also drawn to bespoke ironwork, inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian traditions. Both have this tactile quality: they’re materials that beg to be touched. They bring warmth and craftsmanship into modern architecture in a way that feels deeply human. 

Be critical about the spaces you really need so you can give more back to the land. Homes that leave room for gardens, light, and outdoor living feel more alive. Every space should have a purpose and a connection to the landscape, because when the home breathes in its surroundings, life inside it feels richer and more grounded.

Residential design is moving toward a deeper integration of architecture, landscape, and interiors. The boundaries between them are dissolving, which allows us to design more holistically—homes that respond to climate, craft, and the rituals of living. At RIOS, that’s our strength: every project begins with collaboration across disciplines. We think about how light, material, and planting interact from the very start, creating spaces that feel effortless, unified, and truly connected to their environment.