Architectural Cases

In a recent interview, celebrated Mexican architect Gabriela Carrillo delved into the guiding principles of her architectural practice, particularly her work with Colectivo C733. She articulated her perspective on architecture not merely as a structural endeavor, but as a potent instrument for establishing profound connections between individuals and their surroundings. Her reflections spanned the intricate art of designing public spaces, the symbiotic relationship between architectural forms and land art, and the critical importance of acknowledging existing contexts during spatial transformation. Carrillo champions an optimistic approach, viewing architecture as a dynamic force that shapes and enriches human experience.

Carrillo's distinguished career has been marked by numerous international accolades, extensive publications, and significant exhibitions. Having initially collaborated with Mauricio Rocha, she established her own studio, Taller Gabriela Carrillo, in 2019. Her practice is characterized by a multi-scalar approach, consistently prioritizing the concept of spatial dignity and a deep sensitivity to both social and natural environments. Beyond her professional projects, Carrillo actively disseminates her design philosophy through her academic commitments, teaching at UNAM's Faculty of Architecture and other esteemed institutions globally, including Harvard GSD, Kent State University, and the WAVE program in Venice. This dedication to education and mentorship aligns seamlessly with her belief that every interaction and relationship contributes to one's growth and perspective.

Her profound interest in public and collective projects stems from a deliberate engagement with challenging contexts, where she seeks to address societal needs through architectural interventions. Carrillo views these projects as a strategic dimension of architectural practice, demanding both innovative decision-making from designers and a strong capacity to forge meaningful ties with the surrounding community and stakeholders. This collaborative ethos was recognized when Colectivo C733 received the OBEL Award 2024 for their ambitious series of 36 multi-sector urban regeneration projects across Mexico. She profoundly states that in public space design, architects must relinquish a degree of ownership, seeing their creations as a foundational 'canvas' to be completed and enriched by the people who inhabit them.

Furthermore, Carrillo's design philosophy is deeply rooted in how architecture facilitates human interaction and how spatial alterations can influence these dynamics. This perspective extends to the relationship between people and the natural world, a concept beautifully embodied in her Eco Parque Bacalar project in Mexico. This initiative features a pathway designed to allow visitors to observe the mangroves and celestial bodies in Laguna Bacalar, a freshwater bacterial reef of immense ecological and cultural significance. She underscores the project's dual value as a place for both appreciation and environmental education, highlighting how architecture can narrate the rich history and ecological importance of a site.

Beyond these thematic explorations, the interview also navigates the fascinating intersection of architecture and art, drawing inspiration from figures like Olafur Eliasson, Damián Ortega, and Gabriel Orozco. Carrillo reflects on the sculptural qualities inherent in architecture, particularly its ability to manage mass and interact with ephemeral elements such as wind, light, and geometric forms. For those eager to delve deeper into her innovative work, additional insights can be found in the documentary 'Women in Architecture,' where she is featured alongside renowned architects Toshiko Mori and Johanna Meyer-Grohbrügge, or through a detailed examination of the architectural system that underpins Colectivo C733's collaborative endeavors.

Contemporary architectural practice is increasingly exploring the profound relationship between built environments and the inexorable passage of time. Buildings, far from being static entities, are in constant interaction with the natural world, responding to the rhythms of daylight and darkness, the ebb and flow of seasons, and various other ecological cycles that shape human experience within them. This evolving perspective moves beyond purely aesthetic or functional considerations, embracing a more holistic understanding of how structures can dynamically engage with their surroundings.

A notable trend in recent architectural endeavors involves the explicit incorporation of these temporal cycles into the design process. Instead of conceiving spaces that operate uniformly, architects are pioneering adaptive environments. These designs are meticulously crafted to respond and transform in dialogue with phenomena such as the sun's trajectory, the moon's cyclical changes, prevailing wind patterns, and even the innate biological rhythms of human occupants. Such projects redefine the perception of architecture, allowing buildings to manifest, evolve, and activate in diverse ways as environmental conditions shift, thereby enriching the spatial and temporal experiences of users.

Embracing Temporal Dynamics in Architectural Design

As the winter solstice underscores the shortest day, it brings to light architecture's long-standing but often understated relationship with time. Beyond just form and utility, buildings are continuously shaped by cycles of light and darkness, seasonal changes, and environmental rhythms that profoundly influence how they are inhabited. This evolving understanding prompts a shift towards more dynamic and responsive designs that align with these natural temporal flows, creating spaces that feel alive and adaptive.

In recent years, a growing number of architectural projects have begun to explicitly engage with these natural cycles. Instead of designing spaces for a single, fixed mode of operation, architects are developing environments that transform throughout the day, across different seasons, or in direct response to natural phenomena. This includes adapting to the sun's path, lunar phases, wind patterns, and human circadian rhythms. Such designs operate in constant dialogue with time, manifesting, evolving, and activating differently based on prevailing environmental conditions, fostering a deeper, more integrated living experience.

Designing with Nature's Rhythms: A New Paradigm

Contemporary architecture is increasingly moving towards a paradigm where buildings are not isolated structures but integral components of their temporal and environmental contexts. This involves a conscious design effort to harness natural cycles, from the daily dance of light and shadow to the broader seasonal transformations, acknowledging their fundamental impact on the functionality and inhabitability of spaces. This approach ensures that buildings remain relevant and comfortable through varying conditions, enhancing both their performance and the well-being of their occupants.

This innovative design philosophy leads to the creation of environments that are inherently dynamic and responsive. Instead of static structures, these architectural marvels are conceived to change and adapt, reflecting the transient beauty of their natural surroundings. Whether it's a facade that modulates sunlight based on the time of day, an interior space that subtly shifts its ambiance with the changing seasons, or an entire complex designed to resonate with human biological clocks, these projects exemplify a profound engagement with time. They activate, transform, and reveal new facets depending on the environmental conditions, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that evolve continually.