We are a workshop made up of different professionals.
Each project is unique and we use different methodologies to address issues.
Our teams are made up of 2-3 people, and with each project we present it to the
office to get feedback from our colleagues. We have sought to make
architecture as a process. We understand that this type of work is not done by
an individual but by a team of highly motivated and talented people. We
think of ourselves as alchemists rather than artists and think the process of
making architecture as a solution full of values, principles, and social
responsibility.
Who were the original people that started out the
studio, and how has it grown since?
ARQMOV was founded by Fabio
Correa, Eduardo Micha, and Ernesto Terán (now separated, with his studio).
Since then we have grown to about 25- 30 architects, artists, engineers and
administrators.
You are a Mexican office but do a lot of projects
abroad. How are you able to keep up with such demands from international
locations?
We have had the opportunity
to work outside Mexico in several places, In USA: Colorado, NYC, Miami, Texas
and other parts of the world such as Italy, Mundra and Mumbai in India. It's
actually easier now, with technology we can understand and address our projects
by maintaining constant communication and achieve completed projects as if they
were right here.
Are most of your projects driven by clients, or is there
sometimes room for experimentation with different materials and techniques.
50% of our projects are
private contracts with individual customers where they ask a specific project
with specific characteristics. The other 50% consists of projects that generate
ourselves with investors and projects through contests or invitations.
To date how many projects have you been able to
realize?
Of all the projects we have
done we have physically built 40% this would be a total of 90 projects and
counting.
Which ones have been your favorite?
It's hard to say which is
the favorite, it is always what we are doing at the moment.
Besides commercial and residential projects have you
worked on any cultural or urban projects?
Yes, we have made a master
plan for a set of social services in education, sport and culture. Also we have
designed the urban complex of a green hotel in Tulum. We do many competitions
that are launched by the government and international bodies, we have
participated in several editions of the Condesa Roma Cultural Corridor, as well
as art installations. Last year we won the design of a memorial for the
Holocaust.
There are many challenges, from
physical, cultural, geographical, weather, etc. However faced with the
authorities in Mexico and the institutions responsible for the city they are corrupt
and make the paperwork and getting permits a difficult process.
What things have you learned from working in other
countries that you have brought back with you to Mexico?
Mainly technology and software
programs that are very useful for developing projects making its implementation
easier and more accurate.
Also the construction process from such places like India where the techniques are spectacular and can achieve "almost" everything.
Also the construction process from such places like India where the techniques are spectacular and can achieve "almost" everything.
Globalization has reached
many countries, this means that the architecture has been
"homogenized" in some way where you can see the same materials in
Mexico, USA, China, India, etc. Innovation in the implementation of technological
advances in engineering terms has allowed the possibility to accommodate large
and beautiful structures.
What are some issues that the city will need to
address while it continues to grow?
First of all do away with
corrupt governments; the user needs to understand the culture, customs, needs
and gaps. Planners need to propose solutions that meet the present and the
future, updating building codes where the pedestrian and public transport takes
a leading role.
Where do you see your office being in 5 years and
what kind of projects will you continue to work on?
ARQMOV sees projects in
more countries, with more projects that respond to social and urban issues,
always giving solutions and innovative proposals.
