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When Alfonso Quiñones imagined his future, he was not like a founder of one of the most respected architecture offices in Mexico City. And that plan soon crossed out. Thanks to his father’s friends, he was attracted to the real estate industry and explored it. However, the business side of real estate development did not nurture it creatively, and when some projects did not prosper as they should, the future he had projected in that sector seemed to collapse. But in the ruins of those ambitions, something much more durable germinated.
“Architecture saved me“Says Quiñones.” He always does. When other areas of my life are not in the right direction, architecture always finds a way to rescue me. Through it I discovered the design, poetry of space and the ability to provoke. “
Today, Quiñones is the founder of Subdivisiona study whose name translates freely as “the space that surrounds us.” Since its creation in 2011, Baaq ‘has received recognition for various projects. His work reflects a governing philosophy: architecture must be a celebration of both the site itself (earth, light, wind and stars) and the human being that inhabits it.
“I don’t have a predetermined style,” he explains. “I try to use simple materials such as concrete, brick and wood, and let the site speak for yourself. You have to understand the place and the person. Only then can you create something lasting.”
Quiñones has observed and studied how the environment built in Mexico is changing. The cities of the country, many founded 500 years ago, are transformed now, not by armies, governments or religious institutions, as in past centuries, but by real estate developers. He believes that this change implies a Urgent responsibility for architects. “There is a huge responsibility to leave their mark, to leave a legacy,” he says. “If developers drive the growth of our cities, they need architects that guarantee quality, cultural integrity and human connection in each project. Working together, developers and architects can create a positive future for Mexican cities.”
This, he warns, requires conviction. “Every project you assume your name forever. It will remain for decades. You must be proud of it, even in the future of your career. That means keeping your values, your ethics and your design principles firm, and never give in,” he says.
The architectural identity of Mexico is rich and complex, rooted in an ancient history. Iconic pyramids are instantly recognizable symbols of pre -Hispanic legacy. The Spanish colonial architecture brought great squares, churches and ornate civic buildings. In the twentieth century, modernism – with figures like the legendary Luis Barragán– Minimalism infused vibrant color.
Since the 1970s, Mexican architecture has gone through international influences and today enters a stage that Quiñones considers especially exciting. “We are finally at peace with our identity,” he says. “We are proud to be Mexican architects. We use local materials, we create poetic, elegant buildings. There is a new generation of architects producing works comparable to the modernist teachers of the fifties. But they are ours. They reflect who we are today.”
Leading an office entails its own challenges. In Mexico, architects usually charge by project stage and not per hour, which generates cash flow pressures. Hiring is also a challenge: many newly graduated young people work briefly in a firm before continuing studies, joining another office or changing career.
That is why Quiñones advises emerging architects to hire by project or subcontract specialized works to avoid immendentable payroll. Marketing, he says, must be oriented to solutions. “It’s not just about announcing that you can design a building,” he explains. “Show the dream – a house on the beach, a boutique hotel – that you can make a reality. People do not buy a set of plans; invest in you: in your creativity, in your ability to understand them.”
Quiñones has even rejected projects when the client’s vision moves too much from its principles. “Sometimes the best decision is to separate. In the end, your name will be associated with that work forever,” he says.
For Quiñones, architecture is not just about completing prestigious projects. Aspires to become more socially accessible In Mexico, where more than 60% of buildings are built by owners and neighbors with limited resources.
“The architecture here looks like a luxury,” he shares. “But it shouldn’t be so. A good design thought can transform the way a person feels in the space that lives. I want more people to experience that, regardless of their budget.”
This vision includes a mentoring young architects to hug the rarity and privilege of being confident with a building. “It is not easy for you to hire you to create something from scratch. When it happens, you have to deliver everything. Forgetly to chase ‘likes’ on social networks; do a quality job that reflects your identity,” he says.
As Mexican cities continue to evolve, Quiñones sees a delicate balance between embrace modernity and preserve cultural heritage. He believes that the new wave of architects can mark the course of the next decades if he remains faithful to his values. “The world expects you to transform it,” he says. “But never forget that you are responsible for your environment. Create carefully, with respect for the place and people. That is the only way to leave a legacy worth remembering.”
