As we profile the talented nominees for the 2024 Golden Trezzini Awards, our latest interview features Architect Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila.
Dehonor Architects Design Team.
Golden Trezzini Awards: Can you introduce yourself and take us on a journey through your professional evolution? How did you find your calling in architecture? If your nominated project is a collaborative effort, tell us about the synergy within your team!
Arch. Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila: My name is Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila, an architect by profession and CEO of the architecture studio called «Dehonor Architects» located in the city of Morelia, Mexico. Together with the founder of the company, Engineer Roberto Nuñez Dehonor, and our team of construction professionals and specialized laborers, we were able to realize and materialize this dream called Copali House.
Architect Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila, Design Chief and CEO.
My father dedicated a large part of his life to urban infrastructure and construction. Being a civil engineer, he has collaborated with several companies in the field on projects such as shopping centers, soccer stadiums, residential houses, among many others. Since I was very young, I enjoyed accompanying him both to his office and to the field. This awakened in me that taste, that passion for design, for construction, for this beautiful profession.
Today we jointly direct this company, managing to execute interesting and attractive projects locally in Morelia, Mexico.
Engineer Roberto Nuñez Dehonor, Founder.
Golden Trezzini Awards: Which visionary architects or designers, from any era, spark your creative flame?
Arch. Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila: I admire the sensory architecture of the Pritzker-winning Mexican architect Luis Barragán, as well as the architecture of Peter Zumthor. We always seek to generate an atmosphere in our projects that disconnects you from the outside and invites you to focus on the architecture itself.
The architecture and lighting used by Zaha Hadid Architects is also one of my greatest sources of inspiration. At the studio, we look for a way to amalgamate the best of both architectural styles.
Golden Trezzini Awards: Have you been a part of the Golden Trezzini Awards in previous years? If so, could you share your journey and achievements in the Awards?
Arch. Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila: We have participated in two previous years, achieving honorable mentions for some projects, as well as special mentions for others. We have participated mostly in the “Best Project of Private Residence” and “Best Implemented Project of Private Residence” categories. We have also participated in “Best Implemented Apartment / Private House Interior Design Project” and “Best Implemented Interior Design Project for Public Space” categories. On one occasion, we won the award for the “Best Implemented Project of Private Residence” as voted by the public.We are proud to have received all these achievements in the awards, especially considering the international stature of the jury that evaluates our projects.
Golden Trezzini Awards: Could you unveil the essence of your project submitted for the Golden Trezzini Awards? What makes it stand out, and why do you believe it merits recognition from the jury?
Arch. Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila: Copali House is designed following the requirements of our clients to create a house that meets all their needs, both functionally and visually. The head of the family has a disability, so he uses a wheelchair most of the time. This house is functionally compliant so that he can carry out all his daily and essential activities on the ground floor without any inconvenience.
Likewise, Copali House functions effectively for the rest of the family, meeting the needs of all the inhabitants of the house and other users.
Visually, the house is composed in a contemporary Mexican architectural style, where we can find different rustic finishes such as wood and natural stone contrasted and juxtaposed with modern finishes such as plastered walls with paint, ceramic floors, steel beams, and tempered glass. Together with modern lighting, these elements play an important role in creating the atmosphere that surrounds this project.
It's important to mention that we have a helical staircase which serves as a visual focal point and gives a touch of modernity to the interior. It can be seen from two points: at the main entrance to the house and from the axis that comprises the kitchen, dining room, and living room, which are double-height spaces.
The pool completes that sense of calm when viewed from the axis of the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Combined with the double height, the juxtaposition of natural finishes and textures with contemporary finishes, bathed in modern lighting creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow, it ends up being a totally pleasant, comfortable, and unique space.
Finally, the terrace of the master bedroom has an exquisite view of the Cointzio dam in the distance, and immediately below, a very pleasant view of the house's own pool. Having a coffee in the morning on this terrace is something unique and surprising.
Given the orientation of the land, the main façade, located towards the south, was almost entirely closed to the outside, thus protecting it from the sun's radiation for most of the day and year. Conversely, the rear façade is oriented towards the north, which allowed us to open it completely with double-height windows that allow us to contemplate the beautiful views already mentioned above towards the Cointzio dam and the house's own pool. This generates an introspective architecture and creates its own atmosphere within.
Golden Trezzini Awards: What does being nominated for the Golden Trezzini Awards mean to you personally and professionally? How do you perceive the significance of our award, which is centered on the theme «Architecture as Art,» for the evolution of architecture and design?
Arch. Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila: Personally, I feel satisfied and proud as an architect. Being nominated for an international award means a lot for your career as an artist. It motivates you to continue growing both professionally and personally, to be a better version of yourself every day until you achieve your goals.
Being nominated for the awards is an honor; being awarded by an international jury after intense evaluation is indescribable. This award undoubtedly encourages healthy competition that motivates the professional improvement of all the architects who participate in it, which consequently encourages the development of architecture and design worldwide.
Likewise, this award promotes architecture as an art, since it is exhibited worldwide before the eyes, not only of architects or builders but of practically everyone, creating an interest in the beauty of this art called architecture.
Golden Trezzini Awards: What's on the horizon for you? Are there any exciting new projects you've already begun to explore?
Arch. Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila: We want to continue growing as professionals in the field. Each new project is a new challenge, which allows us to grow day by day and be better architects. We want to transcend internationally and start building projects outside the country. So far, we have only completed projects for clients from different countries in Latin America and North America.
Architect Aldo Alejandro Duarte Ramos.
Architect Diana Jessica Garcia Muñoz.
Lawyer Estefania Nuñez Avila.
We are currently working on various projects that we are quite excited about. Most of them are residential houses, although we have a couple of quite interesting projects such as a children's party hall with very particular characteristics, as well as a country hotel on the outskirts of Bucaramanga in Colombia.
Golden Trezzini Awards: What pearls of wisdom would you offer to aspiring architects and designers aiming to make their mark in the profession?
Arch. Cristian Roberto Nuñez Avila: Believe in yourself, believe in your ability, your potential, and your creativity. You can't imagine what you may be able to achieve. Be persistent, because one day you will be on your first day of classes at the Faculty of Architecture, without imagining that years later, one of your projects may be nominated in a highly prestigious international competition such as the Golden Trezzini Awards, and turn out to be the winning project and architect chosen by a jury of immeasurable prestige.
Golden Trezzini Awards: Thank you so much and good luck at the Awards ceremony in November!
Photo courtesy of Dehonor Architects.
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