Hotel Encanto
The Encanto Hotel was built in Acapulco with few
resources, economic materials, and local labor.
Architectural works are always better off when economization
prevails and the greatest possible content is conveyed with the least amount of material. To say more while using less: nothing could be more environmental
or sustainable.
The physical side is measurable, while the subjective element takes charge of the spiritual, intangible side. Both have the same relevance and must be successfully
harmonized. An architect who attends only to the emotional side makes his work into a kind of sculpture, something more akin to an artistic venture. It is very tempting for architects to feel as if we were artists, but we are in fact a hybrid that must be well grounded, that must take into account the specific needs of those who will inhabit the spaces we create. And by this I am referring to their spiritual, physical, and economic needs. Without these values, architecture is too easily
diminished.
Efficient use of materials, availing oneself of all the resources that belong to a construction; this is a quantifiable, objective side that we cannot lose sight of, no matter how creative or artistic we want our architecture to be.
The subject of entropy or energy loss is one of the most relevant scientific theories of the past and present centuries. Heisenberg’s principle of uncertainty has a lot
to do with this: uncontrolled growth generates chaos and loss of energy. These concepts form part and parcel of all architectural endeavors.
The “more from less” concept refers not only to a reduction in the quantity of materials, but also an attitude congruent with the surrounding environment.
This is reflected by taking into account various factors, such as orientation to achieve adequate illumination and temperature, or a tree found on site that must
be taken into consideration, or the topography of the property, or materials from the zone and local labor. All of which put together can lead to results that achieve
energy conservation and evident economic gain.
Labor in Mexico continues to be accessible in comparison to that of other countries. Construction processes for the most part continue to have a handcrafted feel when compared to those of more industrialized nations.
In Mexico, masonry persists as a long-standing profession.
All cultural processes are linked to economics, and architecture is no exception. Much of the work I do is headed in that direction. Concepts such as walls,
craftsmanship, and manufacture are very much akin to my work.
