Join us on an inspiring journey through the world of design as we engage in captivating conversations with the pioneers who bring design stories to life. In this series of talks, we delve deep into the minds of creative geniuses who have shaped the landscape of architecture and design, and today, we have the distinct pleasure of introducing one such luminary.
Mariana, a Mexican architect and the visionary founder of “direccion,” boasts an impressive career spanning over two decades. Her expertise has been honed through collaborations with prestigious Mexican firms, where she has left an indelible mark on Residential, Retail, and Hospitality upscale projects.
What sets Mariana apart is her unique design philosophy, characterized by an unwavering attention to detail, a penchant for clean lines, a preference for natural materials, and an unwavering love for the rich tapestry of Mexican design and artistry. In her hands, elegance harmoniously coexists with the beauty of nature, as her creations become a canvas for self-reflection grounded in the tranquility of the natural world.
Mariana’s designs are not mere structures; they are sanctuaries that prioritize well-being and foster a profound connection to nature. Her work is a testament to her passion for meditation, a practice that finds its expression in the serene spaces she crafts.
Join us as we unravel the design journey of Mariana, an architect whose creations are a testament to the perfect harmony between elegance, nature, and the human spirit. Future Talks by RTF promises to be a compelling exploration of her captivating world of design.
RTF: Hi Mariana, We are glad to have you as a guest on Future Talks by RTF. Thanks for joining us. How have the last 10 years been like building your own Architecture firm?
Mariana: Thank you, it is an absolute pleasure to be here with you.
The road to building my firm has been a beautiful one. Obviously it has had ups and downs and many challenges in the way but couldn’t be more grateful for the dedicated team that helps me every day, for the amazing clients that had believed in me, and the opportunity to collaborate with the most talented architects in México.
Saying this, building a practice requires dedication, hard work, openness and a lot of love and patience.
RTF: How have you shaped yourself creatively? What are the constant efforts towards it?
Mariana: I travel a lot, I love getting to know other cultures and their craftsmanship, to get inspired and see new things, I love listening to music, going to concerts and museums.
But the biggest effort I constantly have to cultivate is getting out of my comfort zone.
The creative process is most of the time unknown, scary and a complete leap of faith, especially when you start with a blank canvas.
To be more familiar with the uncomfortable I do activities that get me out of my comfort zone, challenge me and connect me with nature, that nurtures and inspires me, like hiking, climbing mountains and going camping.
And I also have a meditation practice that connects me with silence and stillness in order to allow more to come.
RTF: How has the presentation of projects changed with time?
Mariana: It has changed a lot and has gotten more complex. Nowadays we have tons of tools that can show the client almost exactly how the project will look like: hyper realistic renderings and virtual reality. They are great tools, but I still like the hand made presentations with mood boards that give you a sense of human touch and more warmth to a project.
RTF: What is your process of developing the initial thoughts about a project? How do you start?
Mariana: The first step is the program from the client, sitting down with them and asking a lot of questions in terms of how they will live the space, their needs and desires.
Then a profound study of the land or the placement of the project, the context that surrounds it and the different components to it.
After that I can start imagining how I want the project to feel, the materials, the textures and the tones I want it to have. I let the project speak to me and tell me how it wants to be.
RTF: What is your design philosophy and what shaped it?
Mariana: My design philosophy is silent luxury.
We live in a hectic, full of information world. I believe the spaces we inhabit should bring a sense of peace, contentment and sensual connection with natural elements, where we can decompress, relax, get inspired and feel safe.
For me it is through less elements but better quality, and by better quality I refer to natural materials like wood, stone, cottons, linens and resources like light, shadow, neutral tones, and a carefully curated selection of the elements that each space will have.
Definitely what shaped it, is my connection with nature and the appreciation of all the beauty we are so lucky to experience in this world.
RTF: What is your approach towards writing a pitch? How would you advise young architects to look at it?
Mariana: The first step for a successful project is to study the client, to get to know them and their needs and expectations and see if it’s a suitable match, not every client is going to be correct for you.
Once you know this project is for you, you need to create a good rapport with them in order to deliver the pitch in the right way.
But I think the key ingredient is self confidence, you have to completely believe in the project in order to be able to make your pitch.
RTF: How do you look at the work beyond designing for young architects, such as the likes of involvement in publishing, handling media and building an online presence?
Mariana: I think it is important that as architects we learn to express ourselves in different ways, to put our ideas out there to share what we think is important.
RTF: What do you think of building a social media presence for architects? How important is it and what does it demand from the architects who choose to do it all on their own?
Mariana: I must confess I have a love – hate relationship with social media. On one hand it is an incredible tool for showing our work to the world, connecting with like minded people, and a source of inspiration.
On the other hand it puts an enormous pressure on keeping up, comparisons and waste of time that could be used for more productive or creative endeavors.
As everything else in life the clue is finding a balance between what serves you and brings you joy and what doesn’t add value and you have to let go.
RTF: What is the process of establishing a common ground when dealing with a client’s demands and your own ideas? How important do you consider ‘The Art of Persuasion’ for architects?
Mariana: I believe collaboration and trust are both critical in a client-architect relationship.
Of course I have to take in consideration the clients tastes and ideas, they are an essential part of the project. But being persuasive is a skill we have to develop as architects. We become a mediator between the needs of the project and the needs of the client, when we get in a rough spot I like taking my clients to see other projects, other examples, to visit stores, museums, restaurants, in order for them to see other possibilities that might help create the most functional and beautiful space possible.
And sometimes the project speaks for itself and it has its own needs separate from mine or the clients.
RTF: Which project of yours has been the most rewarding for you in terms of learning?
Mariana: A very good and talented architect friend of mine gave me the opportunity of remodeling the interiors of the branded residences of a Luxury Hotel several years ago.
This was a much bigger project than what I have had before. It was a challenge and I had to step up my game, grow very fast, become more professional, more organized and to believe in myself in ways I’ve never had.
RTF: How would you highlight the importance of constantly evolving in architecture? How do you look at it in your work since you began?
Mariana: Evolution is not only necessary but essential in order to become better human beings and professionals. Self reflection in our past actions and projects as well as openness and curiosity is what help us create better spaces for tomorrow.
RTF: How does your off-the-table life shape your professional life?
Mariana: My personal life plays a very important role in my professional life.
For starters without the support of my family I wouldn’t be where I am today, they push me, uplift me and are a constant source of love and inspiration for me.
My daily routines, how I take care of my body, mind and soul are also an essential part of who I am as a person and as a professional.
My city, Mexico City offers one of the most amazing cultural, culinary and design scenery in the world. The level of creativity and craftsmanship we have in this country is truly a blessing, and a very important part of my practice.
