Regional diversity

JA: In Mexico, we are rich in culture and have many traditions. Therefore, architects can access this information, which is now quite easy to obtain, and use it to grasp the essence of our heritage, leading to the emergence of good architecture. We have a history of architects in Mexican contemporary or modern architecture, like Luis Barragán and other architects of that era, who probably inspire many architects today. Each city in Mexico has its own traditions and culture, which likely influences the distinctive styles of various architecture offices. This unique essence is shaped by the geographic location of each office.

We are privileged to have skilled workers who vary significantly from region to region across Mexico, from the centre to the north and south. This regional diversity offers a great opportunity for architects. If they can tap into this source of inspiration, they will be motivated to innovate in their projects. Developers are recognising this potential, leading to a real estate boom in Mexico. This boom is not uniform across the country, as each state experiences it to different extents. Here in Morelia, there is a significant increase in real estate investments, particularly in housing rather than public spaces. This creates numerous opportunities for young architects to bring fresh and innovative ideas to their projects, which is highly sought after by clients.

Returning home, growing network

JA: My practice is based in Morelia, but I began in Guadalajara, where I worked with Kristo Eklemes from 2010 to 2015. We completed a few projects together in Guadalajara. Working from Guadalajara, no one in Morelia knew I was an architect. In 2015, I had to return to my city due to responsibilities with another business I own, so I came back to Morelia. It was quite challenging for me to restart my career as an architect. I started collaborating with Roberto Ramirez from Morari Arquitectura, another good friend of mine together with Kristo Eklemes. The three of us worked together in Guadalajara. Then, Roberto and I returned to Morelia and began working on some projects together. We completed one building, but then we parted ways because he went to pursue his MBA. I stayed alone in Morelia and struggled to find clients because no one knew I was an architect. You have to build from scratch your network of contacts, which is not as easy as I though. It took some time, but if I look back, I am satisfied with the decision to move back to my hometown. 

Since I was well-connected with some friends in other cities, I decided to invest some of my time and personal resources with a friend in San Luis Potosí. That is where I further developed my career. I started building a few houses there, and my friend, also an investor, put me in charge of a building project. I did not invest in it, but I was responsible for the design. This allowed me to showcase some of my own work, as my previous projects always involved collaborations with Kristo and Roberto. I began doing my own projects. Many people thought I was living in San Luis Potosí, while I was actually living in Morelia. I started promoting my work there and letting people know that I was operating from Morelia. This is how I gradually started to expand my network of clients, which led to more opportunities, and I began receiving projects in Morelia. However, it took about three to four years to establish a regular flow of work here.

We had strong projects during that time. There were significant developments in the region of Sonora, specifically in San Carlos and Bahía de Kino, as well as a project in Léon, Guanajuato. I was collaborating with other architects from Morelia. These were solid, professional projects, and the developers knew they could not halt the progress. They required me to continue the work. Although it was a busy time, it was not difficult because we had a steady flow of jobs. However, the way we work in the office has changed completely nowadays. We could no longer maintain the same workflow with everyone physically present in the office. I realised they could do their jobs from home. I did not face any problems because things were progressing smoothly.

Evolving spaces

JA: While I was living in Barcelona, where I spent 6 months, I took some time to travel to the Netherlands, and this experience opened my mind. It was an amazing experience, allowing me to observe projects by Rem Koolhaas and other major firms. At that time, you aspire to be like them. But as you evolve, you start defining your own way of working. I am now the opposite of what I wanted then. I prefer a small office, a relaxed environment. If there's a possibility, I would like to work in the countryside, probably outside the big cities. My family is from northern Spain, and I love the little towns there. For me, it's comparable to Mexican architecture outside the cities, using local materials and methods. There are similarities, but they also draw on different sources of inspiration and design.

There is something quite important that influenced my practice as an architect: my parents' house, where I lived. It was designed by a very good architect from Morelia, Alfredo Zesati. He was well-known and regarded as the city's architect during the 80s and 90s. His work has had a significant influence on what I do today in my practice. If you look around my house, you will see that it has a welcoming area as you enter. My parents' house was similar. From the street, you enter the house, and there is a vestibule. This is the first place you encounter. I love these spaces because they welcome you and provide a zone for contemplation. You can see the plants and understand the context with the trees and vegetation. My interest is in designing houses that have this kind of welcoming space. 

Inside the house, the architect always considered how it would work for a family. There is usually a central TV room or living room, with all the bedrooms distributed around it. Every time you leave a bedroom, you enter a common area where you can sit and talk with your family. The connection between the interior and exterior has always been important and is something I love to incorporate into all projects. This connection provides a view of the outside from various points inside the house. When you walk through this house, you will see that you always have a view of the outside. This is something I took from my parents' house. There are many other details, but we could go on endlessly. Living in a place designed by a good architect when you were a child inspires you and influences the way you develop your work today.

Navigating projects with flexibility

JA: Regarding the way I work, I always thought having a physical office was the way to showcase my work, but over the years, I realised that maintaining an office can be costly. Situations like COVID and other challenges made this clear. There are years when projects are scarce and months when you don't get any projects, yet you still have to pay for the office and all the related costs. This was a turning point in my professional life. I decided to let my team work from home and do their own projects while we continued to collaborate. This approach works well because they earn more money and have more freedom to develop their own projects as well. They are happy, and we have clear deadlines for each phase of the project. This method is working well for both my team and myself. Currently, I am working on a big house project in Querétaro, and this model proves to work smoothly. I am happy with this arrangement because I no longer have the heavy burden of constantly paying for an office when there are no projects or funds. I like to keep the different projects organised and separate. I try not to mix one with another, though sometimes it is necessary. I prefer to give each project the time it needs. I do not like to be designing one project while thinking about another, as it creates a conflict for me.

We are currently working on several projects, including a house on a golf course in Querétaro and the second phase of offices for a company that sells water treatment plants and solar panels. The first phase, which is already completed, was my first experience with such a project and has become one of my favorites due to the meticulous attention to detail we achieved. Other ongoing projects include a rest house in Tzibanzá, Querétaro; four apartment towers in León, Guanajuato; a vacation development in San Carlos, Sonora; and a small house in the countryside here in Morelia. The latest project I’ve been asked to work on involves designing plots in Hermosillo, Sonora. I have friends from Morelia who have moved to Hermosillo. They are real estate developers and occasionally invite me to collaborate on their projects. Other commissions come through recommendations, like the rest house in Tzibanzá, which was recommended by Roberto Ramirez. At that time, Roberto couldn't take the job himself and passed it on to me. Building relationships with friends has been key to securing these types of projects.

Redefining design with nature

JA: A few keywords define my work: nature, topography, and territory analysis. I always incorporate these elements into my projects. I like to analyse the context and the communities. When I built my house here, I first checked if there were local builders available and found many people from the area to help. I always look for local involvement. It is very important not to invade the place, as building a house outside the city can sometimes feel intrusive to locals. The house where I live with my family is one of the most representative of my practice, and it was the first project I designed with my wife. She is not an architect, but she loves design. She has a concrete workshop where she makes concrete pots and terrazzo items. We bought this piece of land and had three or four project ideas. The budget was important therefore, we wanted to explore different options. Initially, you think you can build with no budget restrictions, but when it comes to spending the money, reality sets in. 

We decided to design the project taking into account a nine-metre difference in elevation from the street to the back of the land. It is a long, narrow piece of land, about 500 square metres. I was considering how to take advantage of the views for this large project. We decided to create four platforms. The ground level, at street level, is the service area and includes the garage, a service room for future help, storage rooms, and the laundry room. On the second platform, we have the main entrance to the house, along with the kitchen and a small living room. We did not want a large living room because, in Mexico, many houses have big living rooms that are rarely used. At that level, we take advantage of the first view at the height of the trees. The trees almost reach over you, creating a different sensation as you look out. This level serves as the social area of the house. We have a terrace, an open space with a bench, and we wanted to keep it open. We dug a small hallway through the terrain that leads to the main stairs of the house, which take you to the private area. Here, you are exactly above the roof level of the kitchen and living room, giving us a flat view of the roofs. We used stones that were similar in colour to the local soil. We wanted the house to blend into its surroundings, and it turned out well because from the street, it sometimes almost disappears. The last part of the terrain is currently free from construction. I plan to build something prefabricated there, using wood or lighter materials, unlike typical constructions here. My wife also wants to create a garden where we can plant vegetables and provide our own food source. The main goal was to take advantage of the views from the house, and it resulted very well. 

The challenge with this house arose when we had to leave our previous residence before this one was finished. Plans, including the carpentry, fully defined the project, but everything changed when we had to move out. I managed to finish and close the house, installing windows and floors in the main areas to make it habitable. Once we moved in, the challenge was dealing with limited funds and unfinished designs. This led to experimenting with making changes on the spot. Instead of strictly following the original plans, I started making small drawings and adjustments based on the built environment. This approach sometimes proved better than the original design. Working on my own house allowed me to pause and consider the real needs of the design rather than simply using furniture and layouts from previous projects. This experience taught me the importance of reassessing and adapting plans to meet actual needs. Although the house is still unfinished, I am enjoying the process and learning a lot from it.

Nature, trails, and architecture

As a side activity, inspired by my love for nature, I work on mountain bike trails in the south of Morelia. Initially, I created these trails organically by simply digging in the mountains. However, I realised I could use my architectural tools to improve the process by analysing the territory with my computer. I started mapping and studying the southern part of the mountains, observing how the community lives and works there. They rely on the land for water and for collecting resin from the pines, which is their livelihood. I plan to continue this work organically, not as a formal project from my office, but in collaboration with others. Eventually, I want to use this information to understand and mitigate the impact of the city's expansion into this area. This project began as a hobby related to mountain biking, but it has evolved into a study to protect this part of the city. 

I would like to continue doing projects without rushing them. I give each project the time it needs. The challenge or ambition for me is to handle big projects the same way, involving the context around them. The key is to continue believing in this approach. We must remember that architecture is how we earn our money, but we need to be honest in our work. It is a value I always keep in mind and apply to my projects. Respecting the communities around the projects and the nature of the context is one of the things I most value in my work.