Architects in Málaga and on the Costa del Sol
Beauty lies in the simplest solutions
Years of experience
Completed projects
Completed works
Areas of work
The heart of the studio is Juan Goñi and Ruth Buján, architects by vocation who work from a global perspective, backed by extensive experience in Málaga and on the Costa del Sol.
Architecture studio in Málaga
Klic Arquitectos is an architecture studio in Málaga specialising in end-to-end management of every commission
Since our beginnings in 2006, we have delivered residential, hospitality, cultural and retail architecture projects, both new builds and renovations. As residential architects in Málaga, we specialise in designing unique, functional spaces tailored to our clients’ needs and wishes. Over the years, our good work, effort and perseverance have allowed us to grow, expanding into services that combine architecture and project management with more technical commissions, such as planning, construction and structural expert reports, as well as due diligence and pre-purchase surveys.
As architects in Málaga we specialise in luxury renovations and offer a comprehensive service, from the design of the home through to the landscaping and interiors.
At our architecture studio in Málaga we champion dynamic design, in constant balance between reason and emotion. Our designs aim to provide a complete sensory experience, balancing beauty and practicality. The ultimate goal is to build a home where comfort and design come together under one roof.
Architecture studio in Málaga with its own identity
At Klic Arquitectos we believe every project tells a story: yours.
Málaga, with its light, its sea and its Mediterranean character, inspires every one of our designs.
From our very first meeting, we listen to your ideas and turn them into spaces that reflect the way you live.
Architecture that adapts to you
Whether it is a contemporary penthouse in El Limonar, a light-filled home in Teatinos or an
urban project in the historic centre, we design functional, sustainable spaces full of harmony.
Every detail — the light, the orientation, the materials — is carefully considered to make your home unique, comfortable and efficient.
We harness the natural energy of Málaga to create sustainable, timeless projects.
We work with local materials, bioclimatic solutions and efficient technology to reduce environmental impact
and improve your everyday wellbeing.
We don’t just design buildings; we create places that move you.
Your space, your style, your Málaga.
Let's talk about your project
Process
How we work: six transparent steps.
No surprises. Fixed fees from step 3. Fixed timelines from step 3. Your point of contact is Juan or Ruth at every stage. You decide when to move forward.
Initial conversation
Free · No commitment
Your first call or meeting is with Juan or Ruth — always one of the two partners, never a salesperson. By phone, video call or at our studio in Torremolinos. You tell us what you have in mind (an idea, a plot, a home, a hotel) and we ask questions to understand your budget, timing, the applicable regulations and whether we are a good fit. We tell you straight away what is possible and what is not. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you on this very call — without wasting your time or ours.
What you get: a first verbal estimate of timeline and fee range. Zero commitment to continue.
Site visit and diagnosis
1 day · Free in the province of Málaga
If step 1 confirms a fit and there is an actual plot or building, we go and see it. A site visit with Juan or Ruth, usually accompanied by a building engineer (arquitecto técnico) for quick measurements. We review the planning situation (PGOU, local ordinance, non-conforming status), the construction condition if the property already exists, the technical feasibility of the brief you have in mind and any constraints from the surroundings.
What you get: a 2–3 page diagnostic document with technical and planning conclusions. If our conclusion is “it can’t be done the way you are thinking”, you also receive that in writing.
Concept design and fixed fee
4–6 weeks · Fixed fees
This is where billable work begins. We propose a contract with fixed fees (no “subject to final measurements” or “subject to progress” clauses). The concept design includes the layout, floor plans, elevations, sections, conceptual 3D images, a descriptive report and an indicative construction budget range. We review it with you over 2–3 working meetings. We adjust. We sign off.
What you get: a signed concept design, a fixed-fee quote for the following stages and a fixed timeline. This stage is billable: typically 15% of the total fees.
Project and permit
3–9 months depending on the municipality
We draft the basic design (proyecto básico, for the permit) and the construction project (proyecto de ejecución, for the works). We handle the permit application with the Town Hall: every back and forth with the municipal technicians is managed by us. We know the technical teams in Málaga city, Marbella, Estepona, Benahavís, Mijas and Torremolinos personally. Typical permit timelines on the Costa del Sol today: 9–15 months Málaga city · 8–12 months Marbella · 4–6 months Estepona · 3–5 months Benahavís · 6–12 months Mijas.
What you get: the building permit granted and a complete construction project ready to go out to tender with building contractors.
Construction
8–24 months depending on the type of project
Site supervision led by Juan or Ruth. Weekly site visits (or fortnightly, depending on the stage) and coordination meetings with the building contractor every 15 days. Budget control: we review the monthly progress certificates line by line against the project. We also coordinate interior design, landscaping and special installations when they are part of the commission. Typical timelines: full renovation 8–14 months · new villa 14–20 months · multi-family building 18–24 months · boutique hotel 18–30 months. Average cost overrun on Klic projects over the last 3 years: below 5% of the initial budget.
What you get: works completed on schedule and within budget, with your usual point of contact (Juan or Ruth) present at every stage.
Handover and aftercare
+12 months of support
Handover of the works with a signed handover certificate. End-of-works documentation: final certificate, as-built drawings, user and maintenance manual, building logbook. We coordinate the water, electricity and gas connections with the utility companies. For the 12 months following handover, we deal directly with any query or issue related to the works. No meter running, no extra cost. After that, we remain your studio: more than half of our clients come back with a second project within the following 5 years.
What you get: your project delivered, documented and backed by a year of direct aftercare with the partners.
Ready for step 1? It’s free, with no commitment.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The questions clients ask us most often before hiring us.
How much does it cost to design a villa on the Costa del Sol?
Our fees for single-family homes range from €35,000 (homes under 200 m²) to €80,000 (homes over 400 m²). This includes the basic design, the construction project and site supervision.
How long does a project take, from first idea to handing over the keys?
For a single-family home on the Costa del Sol, the typical total timeline is 18–28 months: 4–6 weeks of concept design, 3–9 months for the permit (depending on the municipality) and 12–18 months of construction. For full renovations: 8–14 months.
Do you work with international clients? Do you speak English?
Yes. Juan and Ruth both speak English at a professional level. We have a specific protocol for non-resident clients: site visits coordinated with your schedule, decisions made by video call and full management of permits and payments in your absence. We also have a dedicated English version of our website.
What does the architect’s work include?
Three deliverables: the basic design (concept design and technical report for the permit), the construction project (construction drawings for the works) and site supervision (site visits, technical control and final certification). We also coordinate the building contractor, interior design and landscaping if you need it.
Who handles the permit application at the town hall?
We do. We know the technical teams at the town halls of Málaga, Marbella, Estepona, Benahavís, Mijas and Torremolinos personally. That shortens timescales. Permit management is included in our fees.
What happens if the construction budget goes over?
Our fees are fixed from the concept design: they do not change if the works end up costing more. And our site supervision includes budget control: every two weeks we sit down with the building contractor to review actual quantities against those in the project. The average cost overrun on our projects over the last three years is below 5%.
Do you work in Marbella, Benahavís and Estepona?
Yes. We are based in Torremolinos but we work throughout the Costa del Sol. We know the specific PGOU planning regulations of Marbella, Estepona, Benahavís and Mijas. Free site visits across the whole province of Málaga.
How do I choose between several studios?
Four practical criteria: (1) the partner who signs should be your real point of contact; (2) they should deliver finished works, not just drawings; (3) they should have completed projects you can visit; (4) they should say “no” when something cannot be done. If you want to go deeper, we have written an honest guide to this decision.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask us directly.
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What our clients say
Video tips for self-builders
Thinking about building or renovating your home? Before you take the plunge, you deserve to have everything clear. In these short videos, Juan Goñi shares practical, straight-talking advice to help you make better decisions on your project — from choosing your windows to making the most of every square metre of your home.
Real advice, the kind that saves headaches (and money). Hit play:
Discover more about Klic Arquitectos
Juan Goñi and Ruth Buján, founders of Klic Arquitectos, talk about their project and their vision of architecture in this interview published in the specialized magazine DecoMarbella.