About

I’m Virginia Durán, a licensed Architect and Urban Planner from Madrid, Spain. I studied at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, and Università degli Studi Roma Tre in Rome and I currently live in London.

Over the past decade, I’ve explored architecture in more than forty countries and created over fifty architectural guides and maps, which I share freely on my blog. I’m also the author of a published architecture guide to London, and I’m currently working on the next book in the series, focused on New York. My work is driven by a passion for understanding how the built environment shapes our societies and how thoughtful design can improve the way we live.

Alongside my writing and research, I consult with cities and organisations on architecture and urban development, helping them rethink how we design for people and place. On weekends, I lead private architectural tours, sharing the stories behind some of the world’s most remarkable buildings and urban spaces.

My mission is to map the world’s architecture and promote a more responsible, informed approach to building the cities of the future — grounded in what we can learn from the past.

144 thoughts on “About”

  2. Dear Virginia,
    I like your blog, unfortunately I discovered it not before. I am a German author living in Norfolk/England who has published several books about colour (in German). Your articles concerning colour I find very inspiring. Thank you 🙂
    Greetings from the sunny North Norfolk coast
    Klausbernd

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  15. Hi Virginia,
    Thank you for following my blog. It was my pleasure to find your nice and unique blog. You do a great work here! Wish you all the best in your future endeavours!

    I am very glad to have a follower like you!

    Sincerely,
    Arlen

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  19. I made a comment in February that is still awaiting moderation. lol
    So will try again. I think your blog will be interesting to follow and will look forward to it every Thursday. 🙂

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  22. Still searching through your site… awesome stuff! I want to take my parents to Chicago next summer and I will definitely be using your amazing and helpful list of things to see and do!

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  26. Hi Virginia. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog, I like it a lot! You are so talented, and your photography is stunning. Chicago is one of my favorite cities in the world, I had the chance to live there for a while (very different from my home country – Spain) and I enjoyed my time there so much. Looking forward to reading more from you.
    All the best,

    Yael
    http://www.feetfromshore.wordpress.com

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  27. Hi Virginia some suggestions for your london map,” tower 42″ nearest tube tower hill, “tower place” nearest tube aldgate, “willis building” nearest tube aldgate, “city hall” nearest tube tower hill,” shard building” nearest tube aldgate, “no1. the wall ec2y” nearest tube moorgate, “the gerkin”nearest tube tower hill, “lloyds of london lime street”nearest tube aldgate. Hope you find this helpful there are many many more i have only scratched the surface. Listed above are the modern structures.

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    • Mark, thanks so much for all this feedback. Will share the map half way so you’re able to see if I missed any of the important modern structures 🙂

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  39. Thanks for stopping by and following my travel and photo blog! I will enjoy exploring your site as well! I don’t know much about architecture but interesting photo subjects abound.

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  40. Hi Virginia 🙂

    (I didn’t find your email so here it is :/)

    First of : Love your blog ❤

    I am thinking of moving from wordpress.com to a self-hosted wordpress but sadly I will lose the WordPress Reader and my followers :/
    So if you still like my stories ( I hope you do :)), could you please sign-up via email?
    My email sign-up link : http://eepurl.com/WPz5H

    Thank you very much and I hope to hear from you soon

    Myriam @OffTWanderland
    http://offtowanderland.com

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      • Oh Thank you!

        I don’t see any mail address with the name Virginia yet. Maybe I will get the notification later.
        Did you get a confirmation link?

        I am also looking forward to read more stories in your blog. So nice to connect with other bloggers 🙂

        Myriam

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  41. Pingback: Mein – Arbeitsplatz – Working Space – von Susanne Haun | Susanne Haun

  46. Hey Virgina!
    I would love to talk to you about your professional history for ALUMNIA (ETSAM-UPM). Please contact me at my e-mail as I can’t find yours anywhere! Thanks!!

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  47. Very nice blog you´ve got! Glad you found me, looking forward to follow you 🙂 I think with your background Cappadocia would be a very interesting destination for you.

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    • Thanks for your kind words! I will finish my architecture degree in 2 months and was getting some destination ideas 😀 Maybe Cappadocia? will choose soon!

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  49. Hey Virginia, We wanted to wish you Happy New Year and let you know that we miss you!!!! I know that you’re finishing up your degree (or maybe you just did) so we want to wish you all the best in the coming year. Can’t wait to see where life takes you. All the best, Terri & James

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    • Hello there!
      So happy to hear from you. I am about to finish my degree that’s right, one more horrible month ahead and then freedom 🙂 How are you? Can’t wait to read your updates on your blog. Thanks for your warm wishes, much appreciated! Happy New Year 😀

      Kind regards, Virginia

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