A new wave of empowerment

AM: Mexico is, and always was, a country rich in culture and history, thriving on inspiration, natural and cultural resources, and its people's spirit. I deeply value human connections and our inclination to collaborate and grow, strengthening us. We're a nation of contrasts, with varied socio-economic levels, facing diverse political systems, injustices, and disparities in wealth. Yet, we strive to make the most of our circumstances. Those fortunate to have access to education and professional growth, like myself, feel a sense of duty in our fields and towards our country. This responsibility transcends personal achievements, prompting us to consider how our professions, like architecture, can positively impact where we live.

Reflecting on Mexico's past, especially the 50s to 70s, we saw an era brimming with talent. The vibrant political climate focused on public and cultural projects, attracting global attention to our sports and museums. However, we lost that essence from the 90s to the early 2000s. In architecture, this shift was notable. Luis Barragán's Pritzker win in 1980 was a landmark, inspiring architects to develop unique styles and share their values globally. Yet, in the following decades, this momentum waned. Architects began to doubt their paths, possibly influenced by Barragán's legacy, leading to what I perceive as a 20-year lull in architectural innovation and talent in Mexico.

From 2000 onwards, a new wave of Mexican architects emerged, rekindling our essence with a blend of local tradition and global appeal. We embraced our cultural roots, ancestral techniques, and natural resources, innovating with earth, concrete, and rock materials. This era wasn't just about local craftsmanship but rather engaging in a global dialogue, connecting with Europe, Asia, and beyond. The last two decades have seen two main remarkable indicators. Firstly, the digital world has helped us to accelerate this process. Then, collaboration became our strength amidst limited opportunities in Mexico, with political and economic challenges. We realised that working together, with clients, architects, and various specialists, created job prospects and empowered us. This collaborative spirit is key to our current architectural movement, enabling us to make a more substantial impact in Mexico and globally.

Taking up architectural challenges

AM: Where's the most significant opportunity and stability for us? It's in tourism. Despite political challenges, Mexico is an incredible place that thrives on tourism. This growth isn't just in cities but also in our rich natural areas like forests and beaches. The tourism sector offers huge potential, including vacation homes, hotels, and enhancing public spaces. Moreover, our cities are evolving through cultural, artistic, and gastronomic avenues, seen in galleries, restaurants, and shops. This transformation is attracting not only visitors but also people who are relocating to Mexico. And it's not just Mexico City; Pueblos Magicos (magical towns) like Valle de Bravo and San Miguel Allende offer both tranquillity and diversity. This is where I see immense potential and a stable ground for our firm to engage.

People are moving from suburbs to smaller spaces in city centres, trading large houses with gardens for shorter commutes. This shift is because spending four hours in transit daily affects family life. So, many are rethinking their living situation, choosing to live in urban areas close to amenities like parks, museums, and vibrant neighbourhoods. This trend allows us to design innovative, smaller living spaces in high-rise, multi-family units. Our challenge is creating these compact homes, around 40-50 square metres, without sacrificing architectural quality, ensuring access to public spaces and a luxurious feel. How can we design 40, 50 square metres where a family lived in maybe 100 or 150? So, it's an amazing commitment for us to start working on high-rise buildings and multifamily units, with the challenge of giving them quality and access to public spaces. 

Towards the firm’s goal

AM: In my final year of studies, I had plans to join a firm I admired for its transformative work in architecture and neighbourhoods. However, unexpectedly, I received a commission. Despite my initial hesitation, I took the leap and accepted it. It was a project in the entertainment sector, specifically a food and beverage venue, like a bar. Though later questioned, this decision led to the opening of my firm and brought valuable experience. Yet, after a few years, I found myself reconsidering this path. I've contemplated returning to other firms or reorienting my studio to align more closely with my core architectural and personal values. I've realised there were a few years where I needed to apply these values fully, and I acknowledge that with humility.

The issue with my earlier projects wasn't their quality but rather their lack of vision. I had to reset myself completely, which was tough. Starting from scratch with a team of five architects and ongoing commitments was challenging. I let go of past projects that didn't align with my new direction and began humbly with small commissions, reaching out to friends and family. Around 2013, two significant opportunities arose. One was winning a public competition for a market design, which, though not built, was government-promoted and boosted our confidence and visibility. We were proud of this project, especially our collaboration with local artisans. We integrated prefabricated technology with traditional craftsmanship, creating a facade that showcased artisanal skills and materials. This experience marked a pivotal point in reaffirming the direction I wanted for my firm. Our journey in vertical living and private residences boosted our confidence in the residential sector. This growth felt natural, leading to a steady stream of projects. We aimed for a balanced portfolio, blending private, urban, and social projects. This mix aligns with our firm's goal: to grow not just ourselves but also contribute to our country's development.

Developing a hub for ideas

AM: Until just a few months ago, we lived in a vibrant house with a rich history. We moved there from the suburbs just before COVID-19. Recommended by a friend, its 50s architecture and former artist owner gave it a unique appeal. It became an art hub and a cherished neighbourhood landmark. During COVID-19's first year, our patio was a sanctuary. Despite financial hurdles, staying was a clear choice due to the house's positive impact.

We have just moved to a new space, a few hundred meters from the previous office. The building, a masterpiece designed by Architect Alberto Kalach, enjoys a privileged location with stunning views of the park. The office is situated on the 7th and top floor of the building, just below the rooftop garden. The honest and raw construction is its main attraction. Upon entering the 200-square-meter open floor plan, you are greeted with panoramic views of the entire city through the 4.20-meter floor-to-ceiling windows. Communal and workstations are distributed throughout the space, with bookshelves and linen curtains serving as dividers to create a wall-less environment. The neighbourhood is a perfect mix of residential charm and commerce, featuring quaint restaurants and shops with stories. A highlight is its proximity to Bosque Chapultepec, a vast park three times the size of Central Park. The government is working to connect its four sections, enhancing pedestrian access and reducing car dependency, further enriching the area's allure. El Bosque adds to our neighbourhood's rich cultural tapestry, along with numerous galleries. It's a hub for those who appreciate art and architecture, featuring iconic works by Luis Barragán, like his Casa Estudio, Casa Ortega, and Casa Gilardi. These landmarks contribute to the area's cosmopolitan feel, with people from various countries bringing a vibrant diversity to our streets. 

We foster a flexible work environment with clear limits, emphasising responsibility for daily and weekly goals. This approach has proven effective. Our team often seeks inspiration in the streets, the woods, or the bosque, working collaboratively and individually. We adapt our processes to suit different needs each day or week, benefiting from this dynamic. Weekly, we hold collective sessions to discuss projects, valuing a horizontal structure where everyone's opinions and proposals are welcomed and learned from. We regularly invite collaborators, specialists, material suppliers, model experts, artists, and others to contribute and use our office as their workspace. This has transformed our office into a vibrant hub for sharing ideas and enhancing creativity in our projects.

Putting the art in architecture

AM: My great-grandfather’s legacy as the founder of Mexico’s first significant aluminium and glass company inspired my family’s architectural passion. This led to my introduction to Francisco Serrano during high school. I worked with him in the summers, unknowingly contributing to the design of my future university, La Universidad Iberoamericana, where I would later cherish studying. Ricardo Legorreta, a remarkable architect, was another key influence, thanks to my parents. Our insightful conversations over coffee at his firm were memorable. When I began my architectural studies and planned to travel, his advice to focus on La Alhambra in Granada greatly enriched my journey. My early architecture studies included a transformative trip to Japan, guided by respected architects Benjamin Romano, Isaac Droid, and Juan Pablo Serrano. Surrounded by senior students, this month-long journey blended travel and architecture into an unforgettable learning experience. 

Mario Pani and Juan O'Gorman were pivotal in the influential 50s architectural movement, notably in Ciudad Universitaria. This significant public, cultural, and academic project impacted the city and provided students with a first-class campus. Its integration of muralists like Siqueiros, Rivera, and O'Gorman was remarkable. They blended international architectural styles with local materials, transforming buildings into art and creating national treasures. Pedro Ramirez Vazquez is another figure I admire for his role in the 1968 movement. His work, especially during the 1968 Olympics, showcased how creativity, design, and art could leave a lasting historical imprint. This period, combining architecture with artistic expression continues to inspire me and resonates with the context we live in today.

A focus on the domesticity and inclusivity

AM: Our firm underwent significant change over the last five years. Once a large firm with 30 to 40 architects covering everything from architecture to interior design, COVID-19 brought complex challenges and valuable lessons. It forced a slowdown and reassessment of my goals and approach, moving away from trying to control every aspect in pursuit of perfection. This period taught me the importance of trust, collaboration, and the strength of specialisation. Now, we focus on a smaller, more manageable team of 10 to 12 architects. This size allows us to adapt as needed while maintaining close connections within the team. This shift has not only improved our professional operations but also allowed me to develop deeper personal relationships with my colleagues, whom I see more often than my family.

In recent years, our focus has shifted to public and social projects, particularly in underserved communities. We've collaborated with government organisations on high-quality architectural projects in small, often impoverished towns. Our aim is to create enduring structures that require low maintenance and can benefit these communities for a lifetime, not just in the short term. These projects, mainly in Oaxaca, have been vital in fostering a sense of pride and belonging among local youth. Typically, young people in these areas leave for better opportunities elsewhere, leading to a disconnect with their birthplace. Like markets and kindergartens, our designs have started to reverse this trend. For instance, our market designs have invigorated local economies, attracting nearby towns and neighbourhoods to participate in weekend markets. In another town, we built a kindergarten where there was none, allowing families to stay rather than move for educational needs. We've also constructed cultural houses to celebrate and preserve local history and culture. These initiatives create a tangible impact, instilling a sense of pride and belonging in these communities. This focus on meaningful architectural contributions is what drives and motivates our team. Another key focus for us is the residential sector, particularly multifamily housing. Our approach redefines what a family home could be, prioritising spatial design and quality living regardless of cost, area, or materials. We're committed to creating homes that offer families the luxury of space and comfort, transcending traditional constraints. We aim to design homes conveniently located close to workplaces, enhancing family time and quality of life. This residential focus is a significant part of our work as we strive to make a meaningful impact on family living through thoughtful, creative design.

Unique narratives

AM: There’s one project in Oaxaca that was truly special. The community, deeply passionate about sports, particularly lacked a soccer court despite their love for the game and having produced professional baseball players. Our aim was to create a soccer court that wasn't just functional but also a source of pride for the town. The design featured undulating roofs, becoming a local icon and a welcoming structure for visiting teams. An interesting aspect was our collaboration with Cruz Azul, a concrete company known for its social projects and mini-city factories. One of their factories was near our site, leading to the entire project being constructed with green-coloured concrete. This choice beautifully complemented the greenery of the surroundings. Seeing the community's activation of the space and their pride and joy in using the court truly was the crowning achievement of this project. It's a testament to the power of thoughtful, community-centric architecture.

We're soon starting a very important project, a mezcal production factory in Durango, close to the magical town of Nombre de Dios. This project, which we joined through a competition invitation, takes a different approach from typical factories, focusing mainly on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The client's vision for this mezcal factory is not just about production but also about narrating the story of the people behind the mezcal, their history, and the context. They want it to be a destination that attracts visitors from Mexico and abroad. The plan includes creating an experience akin to a museum, where visitors can observe the mezcal production process, explore the office areas, and wander through landscapes rich with agaves. This immersive experience, potentially spanning a day or two, is designed to educate and fascinate visitors. This project steps away from traditional factory designs, aiming to mirror the depth and richness of the story we're eager to convey. It's about transforming a production facility into a vibrant, educational, and experiential space. We delved into the essence of mezcal production, asking ourselves how to encapsulate this in architectural form. The project is a dialogue with the land that yields mezcal, reflecting respect for nature through sustainable, earth-friendly design. We're proud of this respectful approach and look forward to seeing the project come to life in a few years.

We prioritise a human-centric approach for this and other projects, integrating local context into our designs. This means creating a synergy between various specialists, engineers, architects, designers, and the local community, artisans, and available materials. We use local resources and techniques, avoiding imported materials wherever possible. This approach ensures authenticity and congruence in our projects and supports local employment and community development. It's a commitment we take seriously and key to how we communicate our work to visitors from other countries or cities. This local integration is at the heart of our design process, making each project distinct and meaningful.