From architects to entrepreneurs

DB: Our practice began in 2015, and since then, Mexican architecture has seen a significant rise. This growth is influenced by our culture and the stability of Mexican economy in the last years compared to other countries. Social media also plays a big role in showcasing our work to the world. When I see a project online, even before reading where it's from, I can often tell it's from Mexico by certain details and materials commonly used here. It's like a shared language among architects. 

SA: I see a big difference from about ten years ago when architects worked more for direct clients. However, in the last years, there's been an interesting development: architects are also becoming developers. They're stepping into the realm of development, securing credit from banks, and building their own projects to sell for profit. This adds complexity because it's not just about designing to meet someone else's expectations but also about being an entrepreneur and creating your own vision. It's a big movement now, with many architects embracing this opportunity to have full control over their projects and designs.

Urban ambitions

DB: Our practice is characterised because most of our projects are along the coast, in the Riviera Nayarit, which stretches from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita and San Pancho. We spend a lot of time there, even though we are based in Guadalajara. We travel back and forth every other week. When we have a project in Guadalajara, we handle everything ourselves.

SA: Our goal for the future is to start our own projects as commented above. This comes from the desire to have fewer compromises between design and cost. When working with clients, there's often pressure to lower prices and compromise the vision. But here, many offices prioritise a high-quality final design. If you want it to be great, you have to do it yourself most of the time. This leads to the idea of having our own pace of work and not being held back by obstacles. For instance, currently, we're working more on the coast, and the changing relationship between the dollar and the Mexican peso has been affecting construction due to the fluctuating economy. All these details really matter in our work. On the coast, it's almost impossible for us due to the economy. The cost of land is too high for Mexicans, and even Americans find it too expensive. Nowadays, it's all about big developments. 

DB: When we started ten years ago, it was mostly private clients wanting their own small house or a small hotel. But now, it's all about luxury and large-scale projects. What we want is to come back to Guadalajara, where we have more resources and can pay closer attention. For example, if we have a construction project here, we visit it multiple times a day to check every detail, fix issues, or make changes on site. That's what we aim to do in the future, focusing more on projects here in the city.

SA: Different areas showcase different approaches. Big cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara have their own styles. But even smaller places, like Tulum and Puerto Vallarta, have their own way of building things. This might be because they're close to these big cities. 

DB: Since always, people from Mexico City go for holidays to Oaxaca, Acapulco, Cancún, and people from Guadalajara, we all used to go to places like Vallarta when we were kids. So, there's a strong connection. Many people from here even own land there, which adds to the connection.

New opportunities in the coast

DB: We began our practice 10 years ago in Rotterdam were we all meet. I was studying there, doing my master's degree, alongside Isabella Eriksson, our partner. Sima was working in West 8 and I was working in Kaan Architecten. We initially collaborated on competitions as a team and achieved second place in one, and a third place in the next. Isabella then started to receive commissions in Sweden, mainly for restaurant interiors. Eventually, we began coming here (Guadalajara) for holidays and saw promising opportunities, so Sima and I decided to relocate. We started with small commissions, renting a small office space and participating in a few international competitions. 

SA: One day, we decided to send our portfolio to real estate companies in the coast area, and one guy called us back. We developed a close relationship with him, and whenever he had a client looking to buy land, he recommended us for the design work. That's how we began to establish ourselves in this market. When we arrived, we started in Sayulita. It was like stepping into a new era. We were part of a generation bringing a fresh perspective and a new vision. Everything felt different. It's interesting to note that as more foreigners began buying land, there arose a need for architects who could speak English. They struggled to communicate their wishes to local architects, often settling for traditional villa designs. With the influx of diverse clients came varied tastes and expectations for design and construction quality. We found our place within this new wave. Nowadays, clients' preferences have changed too. Take, for example, Sayulita: it used to be a laid-back surfing haven, with people happy with basic bungalows. Now, it's transformed into a luxury destination. Mexico's convenient global location makes it easily accessible for visitors from the United States and Canada mainly seeking to enjoy the climate. However, this popularity has led to a saturated market, presenting its own challenges.

DB: Most of our projects are along the coast. It's funny how once you start doing something, people assume that's all you can do. They think we only do architecture along the coast, but that's not the case. We're capable of much more, although clients tend to associate us with coastal projects. This has led to more and more calls for projects in that area. Sima mentioned earlier that we entered the market at the beginning of a significant development wave, which was fortunate timing. Now, there are many more practices in that area, more buildings have been constructed, and we have access to more resources.

Reviving quality amid fierce competition

SA: With the market being so saturated, finding projects has become challenging. Competition is fierce, and it often comes down to who offers the lowest price. Unfortunately, it's no longer about quality or dedication to a project but rather about who is the cheapest. This saturation of the market has led to a race to the bottom in terms of pricing.

Looking ahead, I see us continuing to receive commissions from these areas. Additionally, we aim to undertake our own small-scale developments in Guadalajara and also focus on restoration projects alongside new constructions. There's a growing trend here for architect developers. With land prices soaring, many are turning to buying smaller, more affordable houses in the city centre and transforming them into new, stylish apartments. This is something that has always appealed to us, the idea of working on smaller-scale projects in the city centre, where we can oversee everything from the building's design to the interior details. We prefer this approach over working on gated communities the so-called fraccionamientos. Our focus is on creating well-designed spaces with attention to detail.

DB: We've recently completed the renovation of a house near the city centre, it’s called CASA JS. It dates back to the 1930s. We thoroughly enjoyed the renovation process; it was challenging and rewarding. Our own house, built in 1942, underwent a similar renovation, which we found immensely satisfying. We prefer projects like these, which come with their own set of challenges and complexities. Personally, I find it more stimulating to work within constraints rather than on a blank plot of land. We've been advocating for this type of project for some time now, encouraging clients and developers to consider it. While some are still hesitant, we're starting to see a shift in attitude. I believe it will become easier in the near future, which is why we're keen to embark on such projects independently.

Bridging borders with balanced teamwork

DB: Sima and I work from Guadalajara, while Isabella is based in Sweden. It's a completely different way of working. Isabella tends to handle smaller-scale projects, mainly interiors, and the pace is quite different. Obtaining permits and going through the process takes ages there. It's all very complicated. Here, on the other hand, there aren't as many regulations, so things move much faster. It's a much slower pace there. We've collaborated on many projects together, and I think she's learned a lot from working in Mexico and also from her experiences in Sweden. A couple of years ago, we collaborated with Kaan architecten to design a parliament house in the north of Sweden. These projects have been instrumental in helping us find new opportunities.

Here in Mexico, we are working with our team, while Isabella is working with two other people. Our approach to work is very open and collaborative, with a horizontal structure. We don't have a strict hierarchy. When we receive a commission, we analyse the project together. I receive guidelines from the client, which I then share with the team. We start by generating plenty of options. As the project progresses, I focus more on strategic planning and site visits while our team handles aspects like landscaping and visualisations. We like to be involved in all aspects of the project rather than following a hierarchical structure.

Rigorous design for rugged terrain

DB: I think "strict" would be the right word to describe our approach. We're very strict about how the building functions. From there, we focus on its form or appearance. Our priority isn't how it looks but rather how well it functions, making sure it's efficient and logical. We're obsessed with the plan, ensuring it works seamlessly and is easy to build. We know that attention to detail during construction is often lacking, so we strive to make the building process as straightforward as possible. Once the functionality is in place, we then consider its aesthetic appearance. Being strict about the planning and functionality has been very beneficial for us. Initially, when we began building, we had limited resources and only a few contractors available. However, the quality of construction was quite poor at the outset. Over time, though, we've seen an improvement in both the quantity and calibre of contractors, resulting in much higher-quality construction. 

One factor contributing to this improvement is the quality of the labour force. Additionally, we've had to consider the impact of the local climate on the materials we use. For instance, wood and steel are unsuitable for exterior construction due to issues such as rotting and rusting. Therefore, we've had to select materials that can withstand the climate carefully. Furthermore, considering the need for constant air conditioning, we've designed our houses to be more open, blurring the boundaries between the exterior and interior spaces. This approach helps to ensure better ventilation and cooling throughout the day. The weather conditions, particularly in Sayulita, where there are numerous mountains, present significant challenges. The topography is extremely rugged, with plots often having a steep 50% gradient. Dealing with such terrain can be incredibly challenging. Interestingly, finding a flat plot of land feels unusual to me now, as most of the land we've dealt with over the years has been sloped. In fact, flat plots have been rare in this area for quite some time.

Transformative triumphs

DB: I'd like to highlight a few projects that I believe are quite representative. The first one was either the first or second commission we undertook in Sweden, a Chinese restaurant, MADE IN CHINA, located in one of the ports of Gothenburg, which was somewhat neglected for a while. However, the government decided to inject some funds into the area, leading to new developments, particularly in cultural aspects such as restaurants and other amenities. We designed from the furniture to every detail. It was a significant success and marked a pivotal moment for our office, demonstrating that our approach could indeed be successful. Moving on to the second project, we worked on CASA GALERÍA, a condominium complex in Sayulita. This project represented a significant leap in scale for us at the time, transitioning from individual houses to a larger development. Completed in 2017, CASA GALERÍA has been successful and remains a notable achievement for us. As for the third project, it's the most recent one. This project is a condominium unit that includes amenities such as a cafe and a pool. We collaborated with a developer who has since become a friend. Fortunately, he shares our passion for architecture and values high-quality work, even if it means investing more money into details. This project, also located in Sayulita, was one of the earliest condominiums in the area, with only a handful preceding it. I remember when the street where it stands now was mostly empty, with just houses scattered around. But now, it's bustling with new developments popping up all the time. The growth in the area has been remarkable, with new buildings appearing constantly. Our condominium stands four stories tall and blends seamlessly with the town's aesthetic. We're incredibly pleased with how it turned out.

Another particularly significant project for us, as previously mentioned, is CASA JS, a renovation we undertook in Guadalajara. It stands out as a milestone because we were involved in every aspect, from the initial planning to the final construction. The quality of work we achieved was exceptionally high, setting a new standard for us. Despite the challenges and countless sleepless nights it entailed, we're immensely proud of the outcome. The project involved renovating a single-family house in the city centre. The homeowners, a friend of mine who was studying graphic design and her husband from Monaco, purchased this old house with clay walls. Given the extent of damage accumulated over the years, intervening in the house proved to be quite challenging. Fortunately, the homeowners were receptive to our design ideas and actively participated in the process, which we greatly appreciated. We always aim to involve clients in our projects, and their input is invaluable. They're delighted with the final result, and we're grateful for their collaboration throughout the project. In terms of pressure, working with them was quite challenging but rewarding. Collaborating with them was tough due to their strict standards, but it pushed us to improve our design and execution abilities. While it was stressful, it was a valuable learning experience for us.

Ancient spaces, modern visions

DB: Our next step is to search for intriguing properties. It could be old buildings or perhaps a particularly historic location. I'm keen on discovering a truly ancient spot to kickstart our own development projects. We're aiming for a small to medium scale, avoiding overly large ventures. We're also intent on maintaining a focus on design rather than getting too caught up in financial or administrative matters. Essentially, we want to stay true to our beliefs and aspirations without sacrificing our creative ideas or desires.

For four consecutive years, I taught. However, this year, I decided to stop because, in addition to architecture, I also own a café-restaurant with an art gallery. Balancing teaching, parenting, and architecture became too demanding. At present, I'm solely focused on these two ventures: architecture and the café. Initially, the latter one was intended as a hobby, but it evolved into a time-consuming commitment. The project is also part of our portfolio. It used to be the office of a well-known architect here in the city. When he vacated the space, we took it over and renovated it to create a different environment, focusing on design and interiors. It's a great spot for breakfast or coffee. For art enthusiasts, we have an attached gallery space. One of our team members in the cafe is a curator, so we regularly host exhibitions, turning it into a vibrant cultural platform. Sometimes, we even screen movies or organise other type of events, making it a versatile cultural space within the restaurant.