External Reference is an award-winning Barcelona-based architecture firm founded and led by Carmelo Zappulla, in 2007. With extensive experience in commercial, interior, and exhibition design, the firm creates experimental spaces that break the boundaries between architecture, art, and digital tools. 

The studio has built, over the years, a wide network of collaboration with international professionals, which allows it to promote the integration of craftsmanship and advanced digital technologies, bringing engagement, interaction, and emotions in innovative works built all over the world. 

Among the numerous projects carried out by External Reference, we develop projects in retail, interior design, exhibition, architecture, and hospitality work in Dubai, UK, South Korea, Thailand, Spain, Qatar, and Italy, with upcoming projects in Riyadh, Paris, Las Vegas, amongst others. External Reference offers one-of-a-kind spacial design concepts through immersive digital and physical media, which are able to highlight brand values and create lasting memories and emotional bonds.