Building boom

LA: There are several reasons for the emergence of a movement in Mexico, spanning social, political, and economic factors. In recent years, there has been noticeable progress in architecture, attributed largely to economic growth. Additionally, Mexico has increasingly opened up to international influences, becoming a focal point for migrants from various countries over the past 15 years. This influx has been particularly evident in major cities like Mexico City, as well as coastal areas such as Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, and Merida. My personal experience, having previously operated in Mexico City and now in Valle de Bravo, reflects this trend of a growing expatriate population. There's also a social aspect to this movement involving the collaboration of different cultures. In Mexico City, major studios, particularly the larger and more innovative ones like JSa, Javier Sánchez arquitectos, have notably employed individuals from various countries since the 1990s or early 2000s. This practice has contributed to their prominence within the Mexican architectural scene. Similar trends can be observed in other firms, with a significant presence of international staff contributing to their expansion. While not the sole reason, this integration of diverse talent is certainly a significant factor driving the growth of architecture in Mexico. Economically, the country is experiencing growth, creating more opportunities for new projects. Personally, I work with affluent private clients who have the means to build large houses. This aligns with my observation that without financial resources, house construction is not feasible. I chose to relocate to Valle de Bravo due to its proximity to Mexico City and the presence of wealthy individuals who historically built large residences there. My focus has been on designing such properties, and it has proven successful. Clients here are open to creative ideas and provide the freedom to craft unique and innovative designs to meet their needs. People from other countries come to Mexico because they are attracted by its culture and way of life. Many seek a fresh start or pursue their dreams here. Some discover opportunities to work in esteemed architecture firms and decide to settle permanently.  I believe architectural styles vary across different regions in Mexico due to each area having its own unique cultural roots or raices. However, there is a common base followed throughout much of the country. In my area, focusing on hotels and weekend houses, architects tend to employ similar approaches, adapting designs to suit local conditions such as climate. While there may be some variation in materials and details, the overall principles remain consistent. However, regions like Merida may exhibit more distinct architectural styles due to their specific cultural and environmental influences. In terms of economic status, the city centre and rural areas across the country generally share similar levels. This consistency applies to various architectural projects, such as office buildings in Puebla compared to those in Mexico City, or weekend houses in Valle de Bravo compared to Tapalpa, known as the Valle de Bravo of Guadalajara. These examples may be influenced by proximity, but they also highlight the importance of understanding local techniques and conditions in architectural projects. It seems that some architects may apply similar approaches across different regions, perhaps without considering local nuances. However, local offices in specific states, such as Chihuahua or Chiapas, tend to adopt more tailored approaches, reflecting the unique characteristics and requirements of their respective areas.

Commercial to coastal design

LA: I began my studies at Ibero Americana and completed them around 2006. After that, I worked for several offices over the next four years. However, I always had a desire to pursue my own projects, so I eventually started my own architecture firm in Mexico City. Initially, we focused on commercial architecture, designing offices, temporary structures, stands, and stores. While this provided a steady income and plenty of work, it didn't fulfil our aspirations in terms of architectural recognition or expressing our unique styles. After about six or seven years of solely working on commercial projects, we felt the need to shift our focus towards new architectural ventures, such as residential design, to better align with our creative goals. Around 2020, we embarked on our first project in Valle de Bravo, designing a large house for a client seeking a weekend retreat. Despite the client's modest ambitions, the house received praise from many visitors. This success led to several more projects in the same area, establishing our reputation for quality architecture. Subsequently, we secured projects on the Pacific coast, specifically designing two houses in Mazunte. These coastal projects allowed us to integrate local styles, such as palapas, creating a harmonious blend with the natural surroundings. Afterwards, we relocated to Puerto Escondido, pursuing similar endeavours but with a touch of modernity, constructing concrete-style houses. Initially focusing on small, elegant residences, we acquired a substantial plot of land to commence our own developments. Our first project encompassed one and a half hectares, featuring seven houses nestled within a spacious, eco-conscious environment. Our aim was to preserve the natural surroundings, maintaining the land's integrity. 

Local roots, global design

Presently, our firm comprises two primary branches: one dedicated to commercial architecture, including offices and workspaces, while the other focuses on bespoke architectural designs. Both divisions cater to private clients, with one undertaking corporate projects and the other emphasising personalised, boutique aesthetics. We're based in Mexico City but work across locations like Valle de Bravo, Mazunte, and Puerto Escondido. We travel a lot to manage our projects, and we are considering opening an office in Puerto Escondido. Our team is both flexible and stable, adapting to project needs while maintaining core personnel. The main office is in Mexico City. We have four people there. I work and live in Valle de Bravo, a quaint and compact town. Despite its small size, we have a robust team stationed there, primarily comprised of construction professionals responsible for building our houses. As the lead architect, I oversee the design process while my team of architects translates the designs into final plans. Additionally, we work closely with a group of engineers who handle the technical aspects of construction. These engineers are based in various locations, including Valle de Bravo, Mazunte, and wherever else our projects take us, including Mexico City, where we have ongoing endeavours. I'm the only one who travels between locations. Whether it's Mazunte, Puerto Escondido, Merida, or elsewhere, each place has its own fixed team. These teams typically consist of one or two engineers and local obreros. The obreros are responsible for the actual construction work, and they are sourced locally. Our aim is to employ local residents for our projects and to source materials locally. This ensures strong communication within the community and integration with the environment. The only foreigners involved are typically one or two engineers and possibly some highly skilled technical specialists, such as expert plumbers brought in for specific tasks. All our architecture, finishes, and materials are sourced locally. For instance, when constructing a house in Mazunte, I utilise estuco, a Mexican material, along with rocks and vegetation from the area. The team of workers responsible for this work are from Oaxaca. In Valle de Bravo, we utilise sillar and rocks, with the construction carried out by workers from Valle de Bravo. Occasionally, specialists like electricians may come from other parts of Mexico.

Tailoring to terrain

LA: Before commencing a project outside Mexico City, we conduct thorough scouting to comprehend the location. This involves familiarising ourselves with the materials available, assessing the local workforce, and understanding the cultural nuances of the area. Different regions, such as Guerrero and Merida, have distinct social dynamics that influence our approach. This cultural awareness informs our project organisation, including scheduling, work hours, and weekend arrangements, considering factors like work ethic. Following this scouting phase, we integrate these insights into our design decisions. When selecting materials for our projects, we consider factors such as availability and suitability. For instance, in Yucatán, we use chukum for finishes, while in Oaxaca, we opt for estuco and barro. Locating these materials is usually straightforward, but some may pose challenges. Choosing the right wood for carpentry is crucial, as it must suit the environment and project requirements. Initial decisions like these are made at the outset of each project. Our aim is to work closely with local communities and economies, fostering growth and integration with the surroundings. This includes preserving the natural environment by conserving trees and vegetation and adapting our architectural style to suit the tropical setting of each location. 

Blending nature

Casa PUIG is one of the most representative examples of our approach and philosophy. This house was constructed entirely using local materials and labour sourced within a 2-kilometre radius. Care was taken to preserve the natural surroundings, with a focus on retaining all existing trees. The house is discreetly nestled within the landscape, maintaining respect for the environment. The experience of building this house allowed us to forge strong connections with the local community, forming lasting partnerships with the same workers who contributed to its construction. The positive impact on the local economy extends beyond this house, as we've continued collaborating with the same community on numerous projects. Our partnership has created steady employment opportunities, improving the livelihoods of the local families involved. Seeing them prosper brings satisfaction. We used four materials mainly, comprising 90% of the house: sillar (rocks), barro (clay), glass and metal. In this project, we aimed to seamlessly integrate with the natural environment. Divided into three main areas, the design encourages interaction with the outdoors. To access the private rooms and living spaces, one must step outside before entering again, enhancing the connection with the exterior. We prioritised thermal comfort without the need for heaters, achieving this through the use of materials with natural insulation properties. The house remains comfortable and free from humidity, thanks to its wide walls and thermo-responsive materials.

Building sustainable success

LA: I've been striving to improve personally as an architect. Initially, opportunities were scarce, with perhaps one client every two to four years. Realising the need for more projects to express my architectural vision, I began investing in my own ventures about two years ago. By purchasing land and investing in our own projects, we can create architecture at a quicker pace. Our focus is not solely on financial gain but on producing quality architecture while harmonising with the environment.

Managing these projects is challenging, as they require more effort, but it's proving successful. These ventures have increased my visibility compared to waiting for clients to approach me. Logistically, there's a shift towards a more proactive approach. I spend less time on individual projects, focusing on creativity, scouting for new locations, and handling numbers. To streamline the process, I've expanded my team, with them handling the bulk of the architectural work while I oversee concepts and provide feedback. This allows me to allocate more time to other aspects of the projects and switch between architectural and administrative tasks. Perhaps it involves a little more risk. If it's a small project, we do it with our money, but sometimes you have to get a loan from a bank, which is very risky. What we do more is get investors, like friends or clients, that might be interested in investing in a project: there is a lot of interest in new investments right now in Mexico therefore you can propose your project and get money from direct contacts that believe in you because they see other projects. This is the way we are trying to develop our own ideas right now. Thanks to supportive clients who also invest, I've built a network over the years that enables me to pursue my own projects. Initially, focusing on business and corporate aspects resulted in lower revenues. However, combining this approach with my passion for architecture allows me to act as both a developer and an architect. This blend results in successful projects that are both financially viable and architecturally significant. 

In Mexico, this opportunity exists due to a more active economy. With support from investors, architects can explore innovative architecture with improved quality, representing their concepts effectively. This trend of architects becoming developers is notable, with around 30% of offices embracing this model. Although there's potential for larger-scale projects and the temptation to pursue them for financial gain, I strive to maintain a focus on quality architecture. For example, in Puerto Escondido, despite the possibility of constructing numerous apartments on our sizable plot, we've opted to build just seven small houses, utilising less than 5% of the land. This decision ensures a more thoughtful use of space and aligns with our commitment to quality over quantity. Additionally, our success in acquiring the land at a favourable price underscores the importance of timing and strategic decision-making in such endeavours. It is important to ethically select projects that align with certain values rather than pursuing rapid financial gains through speculative practices. Speculation and irresponsible development have led to significant environmental damage, such as the destruction of coasts and similar degradation in other locations. This undermines the critical need for development that considers the impact on nature and the environment, as the consequences of such neglect are often irreversible and harmful to the planet.