Challenges, Urgencies, Opportunities

GZ: In Mexico, there is an evident divide between social classes, with one class being very affluent and another with limited purchasing power. The wealthier class is currently investing heavily in real estate projects. Moreover, much of this investment comes from Mexico City, attracting local and foreign capital, thus driving a significant portion of the economy. In this context, we acknowledge that our opportunities as a young office are unavailable in other parts of the world. Unlike countries where extensive experience is a prerequisite, in Mexico, people do not have to be architects to submit plans to municipal offices and obtain construction permits. As long as they have the backing of a structural engineer, many of these projects arise from a close relationship with investors. This phenomenon encourages a great deal of new construction. Sometimes, freshly graduated architects or architecture students can build and experiment with their ideas.

SM: Although a wide range of firms are experimenting with different construction systems and formal approaches, most architecture in Mexico mirrors territorial and regulatory conditions, which primarily translate into housing developments or residential areas. Something interesting is happening: Firms seeking to make a social impact are beginning to pause and question how certain housing principles are being addressed. If we walk through cities like Querétaro, especially on the outskirts, we will notice that most constructions are strikingly similar: walled developments with multiple security gates. These houses are pretty uniform because the investment capital behind them defines them. The most valuable development in recent years is that people are stopping to question whether we truly need to build more of this type, more extensive gardens, fewer rooms, or if the defined room sizes are appropriate. This question arises from what Galileo mentioned—there is no clear and precise regulation within which to practice. Some people who have not graduated are already designing and building architectural projects. These individuals have a different vision that is more sensitive to housing issues. They recognize that family structures are no longer uniform and attempt to respond to these new conditions through architecture.

GZ: What is lacking is a macroscopic vision. There is room for experimentation but with certain limitations. This becomes an important issue when we look at the scale of our country and its future outlook. We had tried to contribute our small piece to the housing scale from E D I T O R I A L. When we had the opportunity to work with developers involved in private housing projects that include commercial and green areas, we tried to sensitize them to these concerns. Unfortunately, it always boils down to residential development. However, it is crucial to look at a larger scale. We propose an initiative whose benefits will be felt much broader by adding up several developments and streets with such "surgical" interventions. Architects do not have the power to influence all scales—this power lies in politics. Many cities are on the brink of collapse, and soon, we will be forced to adopt new public policies. If we continue doing things the way we have in the past decade, I see little hope for Querétaro, a city where, in terms of traffic, we have reached a standstill in just over a decade. The state has lost control over how housing is developed, which is, without a doubt, the city's primary trigger.

SM: There is a construction boom on the outskirts, while many houses in the historic center remain uninhabited. There is undoubtedly a lack of awareness around public policies and the benefits that sound urban planning can bring for future generations—not just in terms of housing but also in terms of resources. Water, for example, is becoming a pressing issue in Mexico. Cities like Monterrey or Valle de Bravo ran out of water last year. This phenomenon is spreading to other cities. Unfortunately, we see that the government is not planning a precise response. We know that urgent changes need to be made in how we build cities—not just in how we live and build but also in the infrastructure itself. These will be significant challenges for us as architects.

Questioning Traditional Housing

GZ: Querétaro used to go unnoticed until quite recently. Regarding population, it is the fifth or sixth largest city in the country. It has experienced a growth boom in the past 15 years due to its proximity to Mexico City, making it very attractive. There is industry and employment; it is a tourist destination with a well-preserved historical center strategically positioned. Many construction companies have set up operations here in recent years because, in addition to these favourable factors, it is a relatively quiet city with a transparent government and is generally free from the drug cartel influence that plagues other parts of Mexico. The independence movement, which began in Querétaro, has provided a cultural heritage that lends significance to the architectural aspect. Preserving churches and the historical center has led to the development of public policies distinct from those in other parts of the country, where regulations may not be as strict as they are here.

In some ways, these conditions define the reasons we have been able to grow as a practice. Despite being very young, we have developed our work quickly. We have focused on real estate project development in a short time, and this opportunity to build without an intermediary client has placed us on the map. This has been the most significant driving force for the office. We developed our vision, and from there, we began attracting enough clients to formalize the office.

SM: Our first project came about thanks to a family client who decided to buy a plot of land, and we designed and built a house as an investment project. In other words, we designed it to sell with a profit margin. We could call this a micro-development. Thanks to this project, we had the chance to connect with new clients, take on projects that allowed us to develop personal thought processes, and position ourselves clearly as an architecture office in the local context, establishing our design thinking and methods. Having the freedom to question our ideas and figure out how to approach an architectural project helped us during this early phase of the office. Most of our projects are houses, and questioning the conventional home is the most interesting.

A Learning Experience

SM: At the beginning, when we had not yet formalized our practice, we found ourselves in a curious situation that reflected the current boom in Mexico. We managed to persuade a developer in Cancún to create a preliminary project for a housing development in the middle of the jungle. It took us just one day to convince him, and within the following three days, we sent over an urban design for the development. However, we suddenly stopped receiving responses. Then, two years later, they contacted us again, sending photographs of the development that adhered to the general layout of our proposal, although in a somewhat altered form.

LZ: In our response, we attempted to minimize the number of built spaces. At that time, we were not sure how much we could intervene. It was one of our first projects, and we completed it in just a couple of days, as we thought it would have little impact. We did not realize they would go ahead and build it. Months later, it was constructed without our notice. Since it was a preliminary design, we were compensated very little, around 10,000 pesos (roughly 500€). Despite the way it unfolded, we tried to focus on the fact that, at least, the design we provided had a certain level of study and made an attempt to preserve some of the natural space.

SM: Many experiences have caused us to reflect on our impact as architects and our responsibilities. That was one such experience. It was our first project, and everything happened in almost a surreal manner. Suddenly, clients arrive with plans to build developments with 5,000 homes. These are disproportionate scales, and we have learned that we need much more time to question and plan the impact of any intervention we undertake. There should be some guidance and awareness for the client. Our role is not just to create a "drawing," as one of our clients put it. We are professionals and need specialists to work alongside us to address issues such as environmental impact, infrastructure, and waste management.

LZ: We have to look at the positive side. Even though we delivered a project for a housing development in just two days, we contributed some improvements to the proposal they were going to develop without involving us in the process. Today, with Mexico's construction boom, many developments are being carried out without any actual knowledge or respect for the surrounding environment. We must actively participate in this debate, proposing solutions that address current problems.

A Housing Configurator to Foster Social Cohesion

LZ: In Mexico, only 2% of the population consults an architect when undertaking a construction project. The remaining 98% resort to self-construction. We believe it is crucial to explore ways to democratize good design so that it becomes accessible to broader social strata. This is a pressing issue we encounter daily. Our clientele increasingly represents the wealthiest segments of society, which distances us from addressing the social responsibility we aspire to fulfill. It is a complex and delicate matter.

The country is growing disproportionately, and this rapid development exacerbates disparities between social classes. Consequently, the clients who approach us to design buildings are individuals with high purchasing power. By aligning with these growth dynamics, we inadvertently contribute to perpetuating increasingly exclusive design practices. Unfortunately, there are limited opportunities to counteract these trends. On the other hand, if one aims to focus on designing public spaces or buildings, the reality is daunting—one could spend an entire career knocking on the doors of municipal governments just to be heard. Emerging architects are rarely involved in public construction projects in Mexico, and we believe this is a critical issue that needs to be highlighted.

SM: To address these concerns, we have developed a housing configurator. First, it is essential to understand how housing developments in Mexico are currently executed. The prevalent model consists of serialised housing designed for a specific niche—the average family. Across Mexico—in Sinaloa, Chiapas, and here in Querétaro—the same typology is being replicated: a house with a living room, dining room, kitchen, and three bedrooms.

LZ: In Mexico, 65% of the population seeks this type of standardised housing, but this leaves out a significant 35% who fall outside these parameters—a number we believe is steadily increasing. Despite the growing need for alternative housing models, developers continue to produce the same uniform designs. This forces residents to adapt to spaces that fail to meet their needs. For instance, a retired woman might have to live in a two-story home without a ground-floor bedroom, while a young childless couple is saddled with twice the required space.

SM: Reflecting on these shortcomings, we began working on a housing configurator that allows users to design their homes through modular components tailored to their needs and budget. Starting from a standard ground-floor plan shared by all homes, we developed 240 distinct housing models within a single development. This approach creates spaces catering to a wide variety of users—from single-bedroom homes to four or even five-bedrooms.

Our proposal aims to reconnect fragmented social fabrics and introduce new, largely lost models of coexistence. Today, in many peripheral housing developments, a singular type of nuclear family dominates, undermining social cohesion. By diversifying the types of homes available within a neighborhood, we hope to foster a more prosperous and inclusive environment for all residents.

A Participatory and Modular Approach to Housing Design

LZ: Our housing configurator works like an online shopping cart, allowing users to add and modify spaces until they create a home tailored to their needs. Starting from a standardised foundation, the developer can complete the construction of the customized home within three months. Although we are still in the research phase, this new model is an opportunity for developers rather than a threat, as it does not require changes to federal regulations.

SM: Another compelling aspect of our proposal is inspired by Alejandro Aravena's philosophy. It represents a way to democratise access to housing, enabling individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to coexist within a single development. This diversity fosters inclusivity and community in a way that traditional housing models do not.

LZ: Furthermore, the model is rooted in a participatory process. The user becomes the architect of their home, selecting materials and configuring aspects of the project based on their budget and personal preferences. It is akin to configuring a car—some prioritise a specific exterior color, while others focus on particular finishes or materials. No flexible model currently exists in a deeply personal and private matter like housing. Instead, people are forced to adapt to what the market offers.

Our configurator challenges this paradigm, empowering individuals to shape their living spaces according to their lifestyles and needs rather than conforming to rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions.

Blurring Boundaries: Rethinking Interior and Exterior Spaces

SM: Certain architectural elements captivate our interest more than others. In Mexican housing, for example, it is customary to minimise unbuilt areas. Most homeowners build on the entire lot, leaving little to no open space. We strive to build less, encouraging clients to appreciate the importance of unbuilt areas—the negative space. Post-COVID, it became easier to introduce these ideas, as our projects emphasise the interplay between interior and exterior spaces. Light, gardens, and ventilation spaces became central elements, making it easier for clients to understand why outdoor areas should take precedence.

One of the most emblematic examples of this concept is Sabino Díez, a house in a residential development where we created a large central patio. What stands out most in this project is the seamless blending of interior and exterior spaces. We incorporated two large sliding windows that connect the interior with the patio, eliminating the sensation of being confined within walls. Many daily activities revolve around the kitchen, which opens directly onto the patio through these windows. The result is a permeable space that reinterprets traditional elements of Mexican homes, creating a contemporary flow between indoors and outdoors.

LZ: Our approach always involves questioning the conventional dynamics of a home. Too often, we take specific spatial arrangements for granted, assuming they must work in a predetermined way. When the project demands it, it is essential to challenge these assumptions and break free from established mental frameworks to propose alternative living models.