![Painting, Operenccia, Victor Vasarely](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/50976_1_grid.jpg)
Welcome to Estudio MMX
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 2](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_2_l.jpg)
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 3](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_3_l.jpg)
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 4](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_4_l.jpg)
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 5](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_5_l.jpg)
Estudio MMX's projects: CVC house © Rafael Gamo and FNO pavillion © Yoshihiro Koitani
Estudio MMX is an architectural practice based in Mexico City that began in 2010 (hence the name's meaning of 2010 in roman numerals for 2010). Its four founders Jorge Arvizu, Emmanuel Ramírez, Ignacio del Río & Diego Ricalde have kindly invited Artsper into their studio for an interview. The studio is perhaps best known for its systematic and geometric approach to designing all its projects, no matter the scale. The studio's current work on the concept of public space in architecture, has received much praise.
1. Hello Jorge, Emmanuel, Ignacio and Diego! How would you all describe your architectural style and where do you get your inspiration when starting a design project?
We do not seek a preconceived style, nor do we try to follow or establish any. Our designs are the result of careful observation and understanding of our client's needs, the site where the architecture will assume, geometrical systems, structural performance, budget restrictions and construction processes. Therefore our projects vary depending on each of these situations. We are interested in geometry and architecture as systems. So to speak of where our “inspiration" comes from; it comes from different places such as nature, traditional building techniques and even from our everyday observations.
For every project we start designing, our analysis of all these different elements and variables that are site and circumstance specific, come into play. We rely on our local knowledge and traditions, both in terms of the material and spatial. This results in highly recognizable and appropriate buildings and public spaces.
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 6](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_6_l.jpg)
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 7](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_7_l.jpg)
Estudio MMX's 4 founders : Diego Ricalde, Ignacio del Río, Jorge Arvizu, and Emmanuel Ramírez (left to right)
2. What have been your favorite past projects for you both?
Each project has its own special characteristics, so this question is hard to answer as we have accomplished design projects in various scales and locations. Perhaps one that comes to mind is from the first competition we won, the pavilion for the ECO Museum designed by Mathias Goeritz in Mexico City. We were able to create a powerful space with minimal intervention and had the opportunity to use unconventional materials such as rope and chains in a contemporary way to create an ephemeral, fluid, flexible and unobstructed shaded space.
3. Would you say that the creative field of art plays an important part of your designs? How does the influence of art feature in your architecture?
Art plays a central role in our practice, since architecture itself is an artistic quest. We believe architecture exists in the public perception of meaning. All the different artistic, discursive, formal and geometrical expressions are base points for our conceptual starting point.
4. How does Estudio MMX view the architectural dilemma between creating public space and private independence?
The relationship between open and enclosed spaces has always been an interest in our practice. We look to blur this line in non-deterministic spaces that allow a connection between the interior and the exterior. This being in the city or countryside. Recently, we have been exploring the idea of a spatial continuum that does not rely on the duality between the public and private; a spatial system that can gradually create different degrees of privacy and exposure, of intimacy and publicness. Public spaces should have somewhat of a scale of intimacy, so as to allow each individual to hold their own space whilst still being part of a common place. This is a subject we are still exploring.
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 8](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_8_l.jpg)
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 9](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_9_l.jpg)
On the left: CBC house and on the right: CAB house © Rafael Gamo
5. Which contemporary artists, famous or emerging, are a source of inspiration to you
Between the 4 of us, we all have different artistic interests. We are united on our love for Mexican art, however. We are constantly inspired by Mexican artists such as González Gortázar, Vicente Rojo, José Clemente Orozco, Damián Ortega, Yoshua Ocón, Abraham Cruzvillegas, Francisco Toledo, Rufino Tamayo, Pedro Reyes, Carlos Mérida, Mario García Torres, Javier Marín and others that have imprinted their vision on local and global issues.
Internationally renowned artists that also inspire us are Olafur Eliasson, Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst, Jenny Holtzer, Barbara Kruger, Banksy, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Christo, Yayoi Kusama, and Francis Bacon. These artists are able to make us see other realities in different parts of the world through interesting lenses.
6. How has the Mexican design scene changed in the last decade? Do you have any predictions of where it is heading?
Since the last few decades, collaboration has been a very important factor in the growth of Mexican architecture. As the profession leans away from the concept of the individual, “genius figure" of the architect towards prioritizing more team work, Mexican architecture will grow. We have seen many studio practices put forward important and interesting results as the result of collaboration in the architectural process. We hope that this will continue as we believe teamwork can achieve better and more thoughtful architecture.
As for where the Mexican design scene is heading, there is still a lot of work to do regarding the dynamics of the city and its relation with its geography. We hope that interventions in public spaces along with taking on the complexities of our vast landscape and natural resources keep on being proposed. Also that both the government and private backers coordinate to tackle the multiple obstacles facing Mexico currently and find opportunities to encourage public programs that benefit small towns around Mexico and the country as a whole.
![Welcome to Estudio MMX - 10](https://media.artsper.com/interview/9054/9054_10_l.jpg)
CAB house © Rafael Gamo
Their favorite artworks
![Painting, Operenccia, Victor Vasarely](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/50976_1_grid.jpg)
![Print, Space, Antony Gormley](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1339659_1_grid.jpg)
![Print, XXI 40 116, Pierre Muckensturm](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1423128_1_grid.jpg)
![Print, Composition Géométrique, Geneviève Claisse](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1423416_1_grid.jpg)
![Sculpture, Aube, Francesco Marino Di Teana](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1424379_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, A good morning, Carla Bosch](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1426080_1_grid.jpg)
![Print, Off the wall - Bleu, L'Atlas](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1426422_1_grid.jpg)
![Sculpture, Planetarium, Vasya Dmytryk](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1426494_1_grid.jpg)
![Photography, Parc de la Courneuve, Kevin Jordan O'Shea](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1426638_1_grid.jpg)
Parc de la Courneuve
Kevin Jordan O'Shea
Photography - 45 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 17.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$478
![Painting, Sans titre, Ralph Resch](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1427436_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Mad Idealist, Luka Tsetskhladze](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1432074_1_grid.jpg)
![Fine Art Drawings, Self-Portrait 22.45, Arthur Hent](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1433790_1_grid.jpg)
Self-Portrait 22.45
Arthur Hent
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 30 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$410
![Painting, Blockhouse, Severine Dietrich](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1434612_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Theatre, Paolo Camaeti](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1437333_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, RT38, Anouck Botteron](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1439283_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, City moves I, Gudrun Mertes-Frady](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1439415_1_grid.jpg)
![Print, Larga marcha, 4 bifurcaciones 12, Julio Le Parc](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1440150_1_grid.jpg)
Larga marcha, 4 bifurcaciones 12
Julio Le Parc
Print - 68 x 68 x 1 cm Print - 26.8 x 26.8 x 0.4 inch
$4,555
![Painting, Something in the wind, Francesca Borgo](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1440903_1_grid.jpg)
Something in the wind
Francesca Borgo
Painting - 90 x 90 x 1.8 cm Painting - 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.7 inch
$2,470
![Sculpture, Organic metal, Yannick Bouillault](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1441014_1_grid.jpg)
![Print, The empresses - Nur jahan, Damien Hirst](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1450392_1_grid.jpg)