ME Málaga Hotel: Architectural Avant-Garde and Historical Integration by Domingo Corpas

Empresa / 2 June 2026

Contemporary architecture in historic districts requires a balance between heritage preservation and technical innovation. The ME Málaga Hotel serves as a case study for its ability to blend seamlessly into Málaga’s urban landscape.

This project is the result of close collaboration between Domingo Corpas Architecture and Engineering and ASAH (Álvaro Sans Hotel Architecture).

The building successfully integrates into the city’s historic fabric while offering a luxurious experience that is open and connected to its surroundings through STRUGAL aluminum systems and windows

Recognized as Best Urban Hotel in Spain at the 2026 National Geographic Travel Readers’ Choice Awards , the ME Málaga Hotel has redefined the standards of hotel luxury, intertwining functionality, energy efficiency, and design.

In this article, we explore the key elements of this landmark project. We examine the technical challenges and the sophistication of its building envelope. We do so through the perspective of the project’s architects: Carlos Domingo Corpas, CEO of Domingo Corpas, and architect Almudena Cruces Cuesta, Senior BIM Manager at Domingo Corpas.

The project’s philosophy: quality and efficiency

The central idea was to design a building that would blend naturally into its surroundings, surrounded by historic monuments of great value.

Fachada del hotel ME Málaga integrada en el centro histórico con ventanas de aluminio STRUGAL.
The façade of the ME Málaga Hotel, located in Plaza de la Merced, combines clean lines, premium materials, and STRUGAL aluminum building envelopes to integrate into Málaga’s urban landscape.

“The goal was for the hotel to look as though it had always been there” , notes Carlos Domingo.

To achieve this, an architectural language was employed that engages with the city through the use of clean lines and high-quality materials.

”Natural light and views became the cornerstones of the design, allowing the city of Málaga to permeate every corner of the hotel.”

— Carlos Domingo Corpas, CEO of Domingo Corpas.

The guest experience: privacy, comfort, and social spaces

The hotel features 128 rooms and suites, inspired by contemporary culture and art:

  • The design aims to make guests feel something different in each area.
  • The various spaces offer a haven of well-being and private tranquility.
  • The common areas are vibrant spaces for the creative scene, design, and socializing.
Lobby del hotel ME Málaga con lamas de madera, iluminación cálida, ventanales de marca STRUGAL y recepción de diseño contemporáneo
The hotel lobby combines warm materials and ambient lighting to create a seamless transition between the urban space and the hotel’s interior experience.

“Unlike other luxury hotels that place their suites on the upper floors, Meliá chose to locate the social areas on the penthouse level.”

— Carlos Domingo Corpas, CEO of Domingo Corpas.

This decision allows both guests and visitors to enjoy a rooftop deck with an infinity pool and 360-degree views of the Alcazaba, the Roman Theater, and the Cathedral.

To facilitate this public access, a dedicated elevator was installed from the street. It connects directly to the dining area. There, the Cañitas Maite restaurant combines tradition and modernity, at the heart of the city’s most dynamic dining district.

The technical challenge: protecting the surroundings

Developing historic sites requires a delicate balance: building without erasing the traces of the past. To preserve the heritage legacy, construction of the ME Málaga Hotel was divided into two phases.

Lateral del edificio Hotel ME Málaga con la Alcazaba de Málaga al fondo bajo un cielo azul
The hotel stands next to the Alcazaba, one of Málaga’s most iconic monuments, highlighting the dialogue between contemporary architecture and historical heritage.

Advanced shoring methods, such as diaphragm walls and micropiles, were used during construction, allowing archaeologists to work safely on-site, where some funerary remains from a nearby mosque were found.

“The subsequent structural challenge was to set the foundations of the building without blocking or disturbing the historical remains.”

— Carlos Domingo Corpas, CEO of Domingo Corpas.

The technical solution was the construction of a 1.20-meter-thick post-tensioned reinforced concrete slab. Supported at the perimeter by piles, it “floats” above the archaeological site through the tensioning of internal steel cables using hydraulic jacks.

“Added to this technical complexity were the logistical challenges of working in the heart of the historic center, which required an extremely precise and efficient concrete pouring and material storage phase.”

Carlos Domingo Corpas, CEO of Domingo Corpas.

STRUGAL Solutions: Light, Continuity, and Design

The choice of STRUGAL aluminum windows and cladding systems was crucial to achieving the project’s aesthetic and technical objectives.

Carlos Domingo Corpas highlights the brand’s technical support and performance. These factors are key to ensuring acoustic and thermal insulation, which is vital in a busy urban environment.

Mostrador de recepción del Hotel ME Málaga con grandes ventanales de aluminio STRUGAL, sillones naranjas y vista al patio interior
STRUGAL window and door systems ensure visual continuity between interior and exterior, providing acoustic and thermal insulation without sacrificing the abundance of natural light.

Among the solutions implemented, the following stand out:

  • STRUGAL S74RP Óptima HO: with a minimalist trim, it maximizes visual lightness and ensures that the views to the outside are as continuous and unobstructed as possible thanks to its concealed sash.
  • STRUGAL S52R: used to create the large glazed surfaces that characterize the design of the curtain walls, which are the focal point of the skylights in the conference areas.
  • STRUGAL S75RP FD NOVA: this folding system has been essential in the attic area to ensure absolute accessibility and continuity between the interior and exterior, without protrusions that interrupt the flow.

For the finishes on the joinery and handles, the textured ARIZON lacquer was chosen.

“It helped us harmonize with the railings and balustrades of nearby historic monuments. This reinforces the connection to the heritage.”

— Almudena Cruces, Senior BIM Manager at Domingo Corpas.

A design icon: the circular staircase

For Domingo Corpas, the white reinforced concrete circular staircase, located on the ground floor, is one of the standout features of the ME Málaga Hotel.

“This piece is not just a functional element, but a sculpture in itself: it is a continuous curved ‘U’-shaped beam with concrete parapet walls that act as its own structure.”

— Carlos Domingo Corpas, CEO of Domingo Corpas.

Escalera circular de hormigón armado blanco en el vestíbulo del hotel ME Málaga
The white reinforced concrete circular staircase was conceived as the most prominent sculptural element in the lobby. Its execution was so delicate that it required halting concrete production exclusively to ensure the correct mixing of aggregate and white cement, making it today a visual emblem of the hotel lobby.

Architect’s Conclusions

The Hotel ME Málaga is much more than a five-star hotel; it is a lesson in how architecture can bridge the gap between archaeological preservation and cutting-edge innovation.

Vista nocturna de la esquina del Hotel ME Málaga iluminado, en el centro histórico de Málaga
Illuminated at at nightfall, the Hotel ME Málaga has established itself as a new architectural landmark in Málaga’s urban landscape, having been awarded the title of Best Urban Hotel in Spain 2026.

The firm notes that this project highlights its ability to find specific solutions for each technical challenge.

"“Our commitment to the client is based on creating an architectural product of quality, energy efficiency, and functionality.”

— Carlos Domingo Corpas, CEO of Domingo Corpas.

FAQs

The ME Málaga hotel is located in the heart of Málaga’s historic center, next to some of the city’s main heritage landmarks, such as the Alcazaba, the Roman Theater, the Cathedral, the Picasso Museum, and the Plaza de la Merced. Its location was one of the key factors in the architectural design, as the building had to blend into an urban setting of great historical value without losing its contemporary character.
Various STRUGAL aluminum systems were used in the ME Málaga Hotel project to meet requirements for design, insulation, natural light, and continuity between interior and exterior spaces. Notable among the solutions applied are STRUGAL S74RP Óptima HO; STRUGAL S52R, used in large glazed surfaces and curtain walls; and STRUGAL S75RP FD NOVA, a folding system installed in the penthouse area to enhance the connection between interior and exterior spaces.
The design of the ME Málaga Hotel stands out for combining contemporary architecture, historical integration, and a luxury hotel experience. The building features 128 rooms and suites, common areas designed as social spaces, and an open-concept penthouse floor for guests and visitors. On the rooftop is Cañitas Maite, led by chefs Javier Sanz and Juan Sahuquillo. Between them, they hold three Michelin stars and five Repsol Suns.
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Minuto de arquitectura