WITH 90+ CATEGORIES AND 300+ JURORS, THE ARCHITIZER A+AWARDS IS THE WORLD’S DEFINITIVE ARCHITECTURAL AWARDS PROGRAM. IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE EXTENDED DEADLINE, JANUARY 30, 2015, WE ARE PUBLISHING Q&AS WITH 2014 A+AWARD WINNERS. TO SEE A FULL LIST OF CATEGORIES AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE A+AWARDS, VISIT AWARDS.ARCHITIZER.COM.
Anagrama won the 2014 Jury Award for the Typology Libraries category and was the 2014 Popular Choice winner in the same category with Niños Conarte. This children’s library and cultural center fosters a love of learning through its geometric and colorful design.
Your name: Roberto Trevino
Firm: Anagrama
Location: DF / Monterrey, Mexico
Education: Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
When did you decide that you wanted to be an architect?
I always had an interest in architecture. My father is an architect, so we had some books at home. I remember a FLW masterpiece book, which I found very interesting from a young age. Later in life, I wanted to be a psychiatrist, but I think I made the right choice.
What was your first architecture/design job?
My first real and built project is Theurel and Thomas. The client is a close friend of mine, to whom we owe a lot because she was the first one to believe in us when we were nobody. The project is a small patisserie located in San Pedro, Mexico.
Who is your design hero and/or what is your favorite building?
I have been inspired by a lot of people, even outside the architecture world. But, without a doubt, Mies Van der Rohe has been my hero since I became serious about architecture. He was an architectural genius with a very interesting vision and very strong principles and concepts, which he explored in fantastic ways throughout his life.
Tell us something that people might not know about your winning entry?
This is kind of funny. One of my partners was very skeptical about us winning the award, so we actually bet on it. (I won.)
Which juror(s) do you find most compelling and why?
This is a difficult question. I appreciate the work of a lot of them such as Sou Fujimoto, Mark Jensen, Bjarke Ingels, and, of course, Enrique Norten.
Among your fellow A+Award winners, what is/are your favorite(s)?
I’ve always been interested and inspired by Paul de Ruiter’s work. I have to say that I admire the work of my competitors, Fernanda Canales, Mecanoo, Dub Architects, and Archi5.
Villa Kogelhof by Paul de Ruiter Architects
What is the most important quality in an architect?
Architecture is more than a profession. I believe that architecture is a lifestyle and a state of mind. Architects must be architects 24/7. I don’t mean staying late at the office, I mean seeing the world through an architect’s eyes.
What do you find exciting about architecture and design right now?
I believe architecture goes far beyond visual interpretation. It responds to our culture and our needs. I find it very exciting to see how technology and architecture are merging. This is our future.