Let’s meet Santiago Azor.

• Who is Santiago Azor as a professional?

Someone who is passionate about his work and always seeks excellence above any other approach. With its advantages and disadvantages. I am true to my style, and I recognize that this is not always advantageous in all aspects, but it loses the beauty of things well done.

• And on a more personal level, how would you define yourself?

A simple person with convictions but adaptable and capable of changing my mind if someone convinces me enough. I do not like dogmas, and I believe that the consequences of our actions are completely unpredictable, so it is not necessary to obsess over constantly choosing the “best” option.

• What does engineering mean to you?

The easiest way to conceive functional objects without being too wrong the first time or almost.

• Where does that passion come from?

I have too many interests to settle for just one thing, and engineering allows me to play almost any key that I feel like with some knowledge of the facts.

• What other passions do you have?

I am passionate about road cycling, and I practice it regularly. It perfectly combines sport with engineering.

• What does Santiago Azor dream of?

With eradicating the mechanisms that squeak (hahaha). I dream of many things, but I try not to obsess over any. I simply put the necessary means for them to grow, such as the one who waters and takes care of their plants. On a professional level, I would like our company to be a reference in good know-how. Simply.

• Anything you are incredibly proud of?

To have such a good partner that covers my flaws and makes my virtues come out. At least it has to be recognized that I know how to choose.

• Why did you decide to study engineering?

As I have answered previously, engineering allows you to dedicate yourself to many things and nothing in particular. I think it is an excellent base to develop many projects in your professional future.

About his profession

• Is it difficult to “get out” engineering?

It depends on many factors. The time spent, the enthusiasm used, the ability to adapt … I recognize that statistically speaking, there is a low percentage of students who manage to finish their degree in a short time, but personal circumstances have a significant influence.

• Do you think that the training you received at the university was enough or when you finish your degree is when you really start to learn?

Big question. Every year that passes, I would give you a different answer. Obviously, with the professional’s exercise, you learn things, but a good base is essential to avoid making significant errors. Many experienced engineers have a shaky knowledge base that leads them to make many avoidable mistakes.

• What is the relationship between an engineer and an architect?

In my case, marriage (hahaha). And two children. So that later they say that we do not understand each other. I believe that by listening to each other, we can all learn from each other.

• Who comes to you to carry out a project: the architect, the end customer …?

Usually, the architect finds us (or we see him) looking for a solution to some unusual request made by the final client. There are also times when the architect tries to win a work based on some spectacular element that differentiates him from his competitors, and we are there to help him.

A little more about Birkigt

• How, when, where and why was Birkigt born? 🙂

Fruit of boredom and boredom due to the crisis began in 2007 and the need to undertake exciting projects that would relaunch our careers. Chance also led us to start to carry out private engineering orders applied to the domestic sector, where we saw a long way to go.

• And why that name? Is there a story behind it?

Marc Birkigt was an important engineer at the beginning of the 20th century with some ties to our hometown. At first, it was the secret name of our idea, “Birkigt project”, and in the end, we became fond of it. We even have it registered as a Community trademark.

• Birkigt defines itself as “haute couture engineering”. What exactly does this mean?

We like to adapt to the client. We don’t make pants. We make covers that enhance our clients’ legs. One by one, as you want. Always with the highest quality. We discard projects that we cannot be proud of.

Engineering solves problems trying to balance time, price and quality. Haute couture engineering tries to solve them by maximizing quality with the time and resources necessary.

• How do you divide the work between you and David?

We have a particular collaborative thinking method that leads us to carry out most of the essential tasks in parallel. It may seem like a waste of time, but we are happy with how we have done so far. Collaboration so closely prevents mistakes and enables more agile solution development, saving time in the long run. I do not pretend to convince anyone of this, but I assure you it works.

• How is Birkigt different from other companies?

Most of the companies that are run by their founders are pretty reflective of their personalities. In this, we are no exception. Perhaps our vocation to “win fairly” distinguishes us a bit, but this is a lot to generalize. We are not the only ones, but I think we are a minority. Not everything goes to succeed.

• What role does technology play in your creations?

We use all available technological knowledge to improve the performance of our products, but only if necessary. Each customer is different. We can use mechanical 19th-century solutions when there is an electronic option if it allows a degree of distinction or beauty not achievable in a more “technological” way. I remember that most of us still wear clocks with needles… and some with winding.

• What about customization?

It’s everything. We do not repeat products because we make them order and one by one. Logically, the client can choose even the smallest detail when it is a design that belongs to him.

• What is the most original or “bizarre” thing you have ever done? (And that can be counted).

The most bizarre does not usually materialize. They have asked us for pools that become boxing rings for night outings, giant mechanical palm trees that provide shade and collect rainwater but that could fold in on themselves, etc.

We usually respond to these requests, but the budget is usually an insurmountable obstacle in many of these cases.

And a little further

• You have just opened a delegation in Poland this year. Tell us a little more about that landing in the Polish country.

As a result of our frequent trips to Poland as advisers to a Spanish company with a delegation there, the possibility arose of collaborating with a former employee of the firm who was starting a project to represent Spanish companies in Poland. As we believe in the country’s potential and we fully trust Bartosz, we do not hesitate to create our activities in that part of Europe.

• What are your following projects?

We want to increase our presence in southern Spain and the central area. Costa del Sol’s area is fascinating because a large part of the housing built is a second (or fifth) residence, which allows the business to expand indirectly to any part of the world.

• How would you define success?

Celebrate accomplishments and not obsess over what didn’t go so well. If you succeed, you will be happy, and this is undoubtedly a success.