The Spanish architectural community is discussing the difficult period Joaquin Torres has faced in the past year, marked by a series of personal and professional hardships. The loss of loved ones, the breakup with his husband, and health issues coincided with challenges in his career, prompting him to reconsider his personal and professional priorities. As noted by Divinity, the events of recent months have put Torres’s resilience to the test.
Within a short time, the architect lost several important people: his father and a relative passed away, while the earlier death of his mother continued to affect him. Amid these events, Torres also separated from his husband Raul Prieto, with whom he had spent over a decade. This coincided with the aftermath of a serious accident in 2023 and difficulties at the A-cero architectural firm.
Personal losses
Torres spoke publicly about his experiences by posting a video message on Instagram. In it, he listed that in a short period, he lost not only family members, but also friends, partners, work projects, financial stability, and even part of his professional reputation. According to him, such losses can change a person and leave a lasting impact.
He emphasized that loss can affect different areas: family, business, friendships, and finances. However, in the architect’s view, the most dangerous thing is losing oneself—giving up on trying to recover and move forward. This thought became central to his message to followers.
Recovery and support
Torres noted that despite a string of setbacks, he tries to maintain his ability for personal reinvention. According to him, the skill to pull oneself together after failures and start anew helps a person not to lose themselves completely. He admitted that he himself has often been on the edge, but always found the strength for a fresh start.
In his video, the architect reminded viewers that losses can vary—from wasted time to missed opportunities. Nevertheless, he believes the capacity for recovery remains the key resource. He thanked everyone who supported him during this difficult time and emphasized that it is the support of loved ones and colleagues that helps one not to give up.
Rethinking values
Torres’ story struck a chord among his followers, many of whom shared their own experiences of overcoming challenges. His honesty sparked discussions about personal resilience and finding new meaning after difficult losses. As Divinity notes, such admissions are rarely made in public by prominent figures, making this case especially visible.
In Spanish society, the topic of support and recovery after crises is becoming increasingly relevant. An analysis by russpain.com points out that open accounts of personal challenges, like Torres’, help create a new culture of mutual assistance and acceptance of difficult life situations.
A similar experience of overcoming difficulties and finding support in family was recently discussed in a piece about Manu Sánchez, highlighting the role of loved ones in recovering from challenging times — you can read more about it in the story on the support for Manu Sánchez.
Joaquín Torres is one of the most renowned architects in Spain, founder of the A-cero studio, and has completed dozens of major projects across the country. His works are known for their modern style and attention to detail, and his name has long been synonymous with innovation in Spanish architecture. Despite personal and professional challenges, Torres remains a prominent figure in the industry, and his openness and willingness to share his experiences resonate with a wide audience.
