Anatxu Zabalbeascoa (Barcelona, 1966) has devoted her professional life to telling the story of how we inhabit the world—through the spaces we live in, the objects we choose, and the materials that surround us. She is one of the most respected voices in cultural journalism in Spain, specializing in architecture, design, and contemporary art. With a sharp eye and a clear writing style, she has succeeded in turning design into an accessible narrative, without ever sacrificing rigor or depth.
She studied Information Sciences at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and completed her education in Art History at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago—an experience that permanently shaped her dual vocation: to inform and to analyze. For over 25 years, she has written for El País, where she has established an essential column for architects, designers, and curious readers alike. In her articles, Zabalbeascoa doesn’t just examine form; she delves into the social, cultural, and emotional layers of design.
Author of more than a dozen books, she has explored a wide range of topics, from contemporary Spanish design to sustainable architecture, the role of women in architecture, and houses as reflections of our dreams. Yet one constant thread runs through her work: design as a mirror of society.
Her book Chairs. Historia de la silla (Gustavo Gili Publishers) is one of her most acclaimed titles. With a foreword by physicist Jorge Wagensberg, it offers a cultural history of the most familiar—and yet most symbolic—piece of modern furniture. From Thonet chairs and Bauhaus manifestos to the experiments of Frank Gehry and Philippe Starck, Zabalbeascoa reveals how the chair has always been more than just an object: a manifesto, a political stance, a statement of style.
In addition to being a journalist and writer, Zabalbeascoa has curated exhibitions and given lectures at cultural and academic institutions both in Spain and abroad. Her work is marked by a firm commitment to the idea of design not as a luxury, but as a necessity—a way to live better, and to think more clearly about the world.