The context as a starting point

AC: The boom we are experiencing today is the result of a process that has occurred over time. We could say that it started with the rupture of modernism in Mexico: from that moment on there was a great wave of public works that generated a rupture with the past and new ideas appeared. Ciudad Universitaria, for example, is an iconic project of this phenomenon, which implements themes that were introduced with the modern movement and applied to the Mexican context. It is a key moment to understand where we are at this point in history. If we look back, the reasons that laid the foundations for this type of architecture, these innovations, have been mainly three: the context, the political situation, the economic situation. "What can we say about Tuxla?" We have the very marked rootedness, and we also have an obvious economic constraint. We are one of the most backward states in Mexico. With our clients, for example, we cannot propose things out of the ordinary, nor proposals that could go beyond our economic reach. Another important aspect when building any element, even the simplest, is that we must think about how to execute it with local labor. I believe that we are getting to understand that the more respectful we are with the context, the better relationship we will have with the place. Ramón Vargas, referring to José Villagrán García: "The more honest the analysis, the more you investigate the user and understand what their needs are, the more genuine the result will be". And that is exactly what we do, and it is a concept that somehow makes us part of a movement of emerging architects who recognize themselves in certain common values.

AG: As Alberto mentioned, Tuxtla Gutiérrez is one of the most backward states in the country. One of the first needs in this context is private housing for sale. Since we have a limited budget, in most cases we do not have the luxury of proposing. This happens even with the issue of design, it is something that has cost us a lot and is one of the aspects that many clients see as unnecessary. Hiring an architect here is a luxury, because most people self-build their own homes. For us it is important to work with these issues, and to do this work with clients to make them see that hiring an architect is an investment, that having a previous design helps you to know the total investment of the project and makes the time more efficient. Many times we have been called to carry out projects that were in the middle of the self-construction process, it is at this moment that, many times, the client realizes that too many resources have already been invested, our role, in this case, is to order and think of alternative solutions to execute a project, defining what we can modify, and how to finish the work taking into account the limitations. Our priorities are very different from other parts of the country, we are not thinking of building a library, or a public project for the State, those types of structures are out of our reach, therefore, much of our work has been focused on housing development in its different stages.

The role of the architect

AG: At least 50% of our projects have been mid-construction interventions. Throughout the process, many realize that it is not easy to build if you don't have clear planning. We have found that finally, many people who have worked with us under these conditions begin to place a value on design and understand our role.

AC: During this process they realize that they have invested most of the budget, and yet they are not clear about the final amount that the work will cost them. It is not that we want to dress up as heroes, our presence is not essential, but we consider that planning is a fundamental aspect to be able to carry out an orderly project. Many times we are called to join at an advanced stage of the project. In these cases, we have learned that the first thing we must do is to pause the project or construction, we take the time to understand what ideas the user had in mind, what he wanted to develop and start working on that part from the paper, which allows us to identify problems, analyze costs and times, define priorities ... This phase of the project plays an important role, we as professionals in the sector, we look for creative and logical solutions to solve a need.

AG: Other times we have had the opportunity to carry out the entire project, but in stages. We always make the general proposal, but the client limits us according to the budget. During the first stage, for example, the main and service spaces can be built, which allows us to inhabit the space, and leave complementary spaces for the second stage. This is another conditioning factor that we have learned to work with. Many times the client does not have the necessary information to visualize that it is not possible to generate all the construction, therefore, it is mandatory to divide the project according to their possibilities.

AC: And this is where we come back to the issue of local elements: we are talking about materialities, we are talking about processes, we are talking about labor. Hiring a professional is not understood as something necessary. Informal construction in Tuxtla is very common.

AG: Even in residential, we find ourselves in similar situations where we have done some design projects, however, when they want to carry out construction, many decide to hire people who build informally.

AC: We believe it is a generational issue. This idea comes from our parents' generations, who were very independent, and could solve any problem with their own resources. The figure of the architect was not essential. Today there is a little more awareness. I think that social networks have helped a lot in this process, because there is a lot more information, there are YouTube channels that show you the process of construction and construction, and that have stimulated a process of awareness about the construction process.

A self-construction manual

AC: We think it is important to work to improve and simplify our design process. We try to use conventional systems that any craftsman in the local region can execute. If you generate a work that uses materials that are a little more complex than normal, or that are outside of general knowledge, the budget grows and the execution becomes more complicated. Specialized labor would have to be hired. But if we are going to propose traditional techniques, it is common for those who are involved in informal construction and local labor to execute it, it is not a negative aspect, the advantage is that they know how to use the materials of the area, they dominate the techniques, they know perfectly how to work with brick. Those are their skills and we as local architects must understand the context and propose solutions that make the most of local labor. That is why we prefer to work with local materials, with elements that the workers know well, that are affordable, and that way we are sure that the execution will be very good.

AG: In our practice we have learned to develop projects as if they were a construction manual, because we are not always hired for the construction phase. We have to prepare everything in detail, so that anyone who is going to do the construction can understand it. We try to outline the proposal with drawings and diagrams that are easy to understand.

AC: We also have had the opportunity to work with craftsmen who have the tools to read a blueprint perfectly. I remember there was a government campaign for workers involved in construction to learn to read technical drawings. In these cases, when there is good communication with a master builder, we know that we can deliver technical material without any problems. 

A process that goes by degrees

AG: Since we were studying, we each started working in some architecture firms. When we graduated, some small projects started to come in, such as remodeling. Our clients were mainly family and friends. In 2019 we got our first executive project, and we also followed the construction phase. Then we realized that the time had come to formalize the collaboration. At that time it was still just the two of us. We began to develop the project, and when we reached the construction stage we did not feel prepared to execute the work, so we decided to call a civil engineer friend, Luis Antonio, who already had experience in construction and that was how we built the team between the three of us. This first project was Casa Granada, a rest house on the outskirts of San Cristobal de las Casas. Being our first project, we focused all our energy on it, so the level of detail was impressive. We were able to really tear it apart: it was our only project and it was thanks to that experience that we realized we were able to build a good team. From that point on, we started getting calls from other places. Suddenly we had two projects, then three, then four... and we realized that we were no longer enough.

AC: It has been a constant process in which you realize how you respond to problems and define the process. It was at that point that we decided to make the name change of the office. We wanted to transmit this collaborative work that we had been developing, putting together a team of friends, each with their own responsibilities. We hired a graphic designer who made us reflect on our way of working together with other people, and it was with her that we realized that our work was not individual. From that process, we came up with the name Grado Studio, because for the solution of certain problems we needed more collective work. It is a play on words that tries to explain our way of working.

AG: And it was in this way, by steps, that we learned to separate the project area and the construction area, and to define our roles. We are a small office, and it is something we want to keep for the moment, because we think it is important to dedicate the right amount of time to each project, and between all of us to reach a solution.

AC: So far we are comfortable being in all stages of the process, and in this way a project becomes close, personal. In short, at this stage of our professional career, we are a flexible team of 6-7 people working from the office, and some external collaborators, such as digital illustrators, technicians, etc. who support us for more specific projects.

Innovate in the city

AG: We want to contribute something to the city. We are very aware that the primary need in the context in which we are is housing. We had the opportunity to work with a client who was able to invest in a fairly large lot in a very central area of Tuxtla and had the intention of building several houses for sale. That was when we decided to make him a proposal to rethink his initial idea, and make a subdivision of his lot, generating smaller houses and redensifying the area. The neighbors did not want to allow it, however, we reached a good agreement with all parties, and today everyone is satisfied with the results, thus Sabines 242 and Casas Tierra.

 We had another similar project; Centro 1656, very close to where we have the office, a building that was previously a two-story house they wanted to remodel for rent, but we realized that in the area there were also many professionals who needed small spaces, we proposed to the client to work on another scheme. The investment would be higher, but in the end we were able to convert that space into five studios, and in the long run the rental return would be higher. Each studio has a kitchenette, a full bathroom and a bedroom. Inhabiting it there are students, dentists, a beautician, ... despite being in a popular neighborhood, we added a commercial function on the first floor, with an attempt to change the land use and propose mixed uses. In this way, we encourage aspects of integration and social exchange. In addition, the simple fact that there are people living in this building at different times of the day brings dynamism and security.

AC: We are not urban experts, but it is clear to us that, as inhabitants of Tuxtla, even before being architects, the city also belongs to us, and that is why we want to contribute with our ideas. We try to introduce different uses, and with these specific interventions in various parts of the city, mainly within the urban zone, we want to reduce territorial consumption, especially in our protected natural areas. We are trying to look for options so that the city stops growing horizontally. We have many spaces with potential that we can convert, give them other uses, and make the city grow following a friendlier model, recovering the spaces that already exist, doing more remodeling, working with the resources we have at our disposal, and activating the local economy. I believe that our role is important to set a good example: if we promote specific interventions such as these, perhaps we can play an important role in reducing the logic of subdivisions, allowing changes in land use and favoring mixed uses. With these projects we have been able to contribute our grain of sand, redensifying the city, introducing different and more dynamic housing schemes.

AG: Right here in Centro 135 where we have our office, we also did a site survey. We are in a downtown area, and we realized that the people who live in these neighborhoods have also changed. The family nucleus is no longer the same as it was years ago. The type of inhabitants has been changing with the introduction of new stores, hospitals, schools and other services. This study allows us to identify a new inhabitant and generate these flexible spaces for rent. Families have changed: there are more young couples, small businessmen who need an office, like us, who do not need such a large space. Part of our job is to understand the new dynamics of the city's transformation. We are not only architects, but also inhabitants of Tuxtla. In this way we can contribute our knowledge to contribute to more virtuous dynamics.

Regulations, constraint or added value?

AG: The regulatory aspect is fundamental. In this contribution we are making to the city, we are proposing apartments for student use. Students generally do not have their own vehicle. The regulations tell us that we needed to have 5 parking spaces and the lot is 5x20 meters. We were forced to have a subway parking lot, but, this way, the costs were too high. We were negotiating with the municipality to find an alternative solution. Among other ideas, we proposed renting a warehouse in front of the building and using it as a parking space. These are spaces that have been abandoned for a long time, and we are helping to reactivate them, finding an alternative way to deal with the existing regulations.

AC: We don't have to invent anything, we can learn from other models where similar systems have already been applied. And somehow this helps us to convince our clients, public or private, that these ideas have merit. The city is changing, we want to put our cards on the table and show that it can be done. When you try to bring new ideas, there is always some resistance, but we can show that in order to evolve it is important to propose changes. And these changes have a positive effect: for starters, for the client, because the apartments offer greater profitability. The house they wanted to build was going to give them a limited amount, perhaps a monthly rent of around 5 thousand pesos. But now we are talking about 5 apartments and a store that give them a rent of 3,000 to 4,000 pesos each. As Juan Carral mentions in Cancun, the only thing we are doing is dividing the pie into smaller pieces. A win-win for all involved.

Stimulate new thoughts

AG: We want to contribute through critical thinking to all these ideas that we have been discussing throughout the interview. One tool to encourage an open debate is the Festival Provincia. So far we have organized together with other colleagues three editions: in 2018, 2019, and 2024. We have taken a break of almost three years due to the pandemic. This festival intends to propose a space for dialogue, with the participation of architects, speakers from different parts of the country and other international speakers. These festivals are usually held in the main cities: Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara. But we also believe it is important to bring another type of discourse to a part of the country where there are fewer opportunities to debate and talk more about the province. We would have loved, as students, to have a local event of this kind, to learn from other colleagues, using these moments to understand other ways of making a city. It is very inspiring, and with the Festival Provincia we want to contribute to this debate in an active way. Our role as architects is not only to build, but also to facilitate platforms of thought that, in some way, accompany and reinforce those ideas that we develop through professional practice.