Inside Jeroen Van Zwetselaar´s Santa Gertrudis architectural and design studio
Dutch Architect and designer Jeroen Van Zwetselaar invites Ibiza Property Journal into his new Santa Gertrudis studio in Ibiza, where a creative hub brings a fresh footprint that blends real estate, construction and design.
Jeroen van Zwetselaar has fearlessly built a global portfolio of residential and corporate projects, shaping architectural and interior spaces for hotels, boutique spaces, and private homes—each telling the unique story of its owner. His work stretches from the Netherlands to cities across Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Ibiza, the island he calls his second home. Now, with his self-designed and lovingly renovated Ibiza studio officially open after more than a year of planning, his bond with the island feels deeper—and more permanent than ever.
“We’re creating a genuine meeting point for the island’s creative community” says Jeroen of the new studio. He craved a space on the island with natural light, and room for deeper collaboration — and he found it in Santa Gertrudis. Conveniently located beside Macau Café, the shared workspace sits at the heart of Ibiza’s most loved and effortlessly stylish village. Located on Carrer de la Vénda des Poble 6, the new studio reflects his close partnership with Fantastic Frank, the design-forward international real-estate agency. The two firms in this new creative hub under one roof serve as a bridge between architectural vision, property discovery, and project execution.
I caught up with Jeroen as he settles into his new Santa Gertrudis digs, to learn what a truly integrated, narrative-driven workspace looks like for his business, and how a fresh footprint can continue to shape the future of living on Ibiza.
How does the space reflect the identity of your practice today and where it’s headed?
By opening this new space in Santa Gertrudis, we’re creating a genuine meeting point for the island’s creative community. A hub where design, real estate, and construction come together, offering a smooth full-service route for both homes and commercial projects — and helping shape the future of living on Ibiza.
How did you approach the layout to support both creativity and productivity?
I started by creating a calm, grounding base – a place where your mind can settle before it expands. From that foundation, the layout flows in intuitive zones: spaces to focus, spaces to explore ideas, and open areas where conversations spark new directions. It’s a balance between stillness and movement.
Can you walk us through any signature architectural features or details you’re particularly proud of?
The clear sightlines that guide you without ever dictating how to move. The moment you step into the space, it opens up for you. I’m especially proud of how daylight enters the studio – shaping the atmosphere throughout the day.
Dutch architect and designer, Jeroen Van Zwetselaar in his new Santa Gertrudis digs. He enlisted Balafia de Baix constructions for the renovation.
What materials and textures were essential in achieving the atmosphere you envisioned?
Natural materials that hold emotion. Raw woods, lime-washed walls, tactile fabrics, stone with imperfections — elements that age beautifully and add depth to the space. Texture is crucial; it invites touch, slows you down, and makes the environment feel lived-in and honest.
How is the studio equipped to support emerging technologies or new modes of architectural practice?
We integrated technology in a way that feels invisible. The tools are present, but they don’t dominate. Flexible digital workstations, spaces for immersive presentations, and a modular setup allow us to adapt quickly to new modes of working without losing the soul of the space.
On Friday 14th November at the long-awaited official opening, guests filtered between the newly revealed interior showroom and the beautifully landscaped garden, as Jeroen personally welcomed friends, collaborators, and clients. The evening’s atmosphere felt both celebratory and symbolic: a designer whose work has shaped Ibiza for years is at last planting permanent roots here.
How did you design the studio to encourage collaboration?
By creating moments of natural encounter. A shared table, an open kitchen and generous space to move freely. Places where ideas can arise naturally. Collaboration works best when people feel at ease, so the environment is warm, inviting, and non-hierarchical.
What was the most unexpected challenge you encountered while creating this space?
Designing for yourself removes the boundaries you normally rely on. The possibilities felt endless but the building itself gave a clear guideline. This is always the first step in a design. The building; its’ history and location will dictate what it needs. The challenge was to be honest, to strip the design back to what truly matters, and to trust intuition over perfection.
Jeroen Van Zwetselaar in his new Ibiza architectural design studio with partners Jason Ham and Izabela Swiecicka – Managing Partners at Fantastic Frank Real Estate, Ibiza. Their new office is located in the village of Santa Gertrudis. The space designed by Jeroen is a canvas for creativity and collaboration.
Did designing for yourself differ emotionally or creatively from designing for clients?
Absolutely. When you design for yourself, you confront your own identity as a designer. It’s more vulnerable, more introspective. But also incredibly liberating – it allows you to create without filters.
What colors are you drawn to right now?
Muted earthy tones, soft grays, deep taupes, and natural greens — colors that breathe with the landscape of Ibiza and create a quiet backdrop for creativity.
This project by Jeroen Van Zwetselaar in Altea (Alicante), features a striking 6 meter kitchen island wrapped in marble with aged brass 
The newly built villa features muted stucco and stone-clad walls, with dark timber to echo the natural colours found on the building site. 
The holiday villa´s infinity pool was also designed to blend in with its surroundings –architecture of in- and exterior by Jeroen van Zwetselaar (except garden design)
How do you hope this studio will influence the kinds of projects you take on next?
I hope it opens the door to projects that value emotion and narrative as deeply as aesthetics. This studio embodies the way we want to design; with intuition, craftsmanship, and a strong sense of place. You need to be able to feel where you are and work with what the space has to offer. I hope it attracts clients who seek that same depth.
