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Tracing Architecture is a podcast that explores the layers of architecture, examining how many different and often conflicting forces influence the profession, practice, and art form of architecture.

Latino Identity in Architecture – Part 2

In this two-part series on Latino identity in architecture, Tracing Architecture dives into the profound ways the narrative of history and our own heritage shapes design. Part two is a more personal conversation between three practicing architectural professionals in the state of Arizona, all telling their perspectives of their Latino identity based on their personal upbringing and experiences and how those have shaped their professional and professional lives in this state. Every one of their stories is unique, and by sharing in a joyful conversation, they also find a lot of commonality. This series was done in collaboration with the AIA Phoenix Metro EDIB committee (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging).

Episode Contributors:

 

Guest Co-host/Co-producer: Fernando F. Mercado III

Fernando F. Mercado III is CEO and Founder of Mercado Design Build Studio, LLC. Named one of the best Design-Build Organizations in Phoenix, Arizona by the General Contractor Magazine. Fernando holds the company’s qualifying party general contractor’s license and is primarily self-taught architectural senior designer with over 25 years of experience at various architecture firms, primarily in Arizona. Fernando enjoys working on many types of projects, always bringing his diverse experience, expertise, and passion.

Guest Contributor: Dulce Mancinas Arambula

Dulce Mancinas Arambula NOMA, born and raised in the Salt River Valley, Dulce has spent the majority of her life between Arizona and her maternal hometown in Guanajuato, Mexico. Her architectural journey has given her experience at every scale from facade development to large scale master planning, all in hopes of synthesizing architecture’s role in her own community. Dulce is a member of The Architecture Lobby and NOMAaz and has helped put together community volunteering events and local youth camps in the valley.

Guest Contributor: Oscar De las Salas

Oscar De las Salas is a native of Barranquilla, Colombia, and an award-winning Designer Design Professional, Real Estate Business Strategist, and graduate of the University of Salamanca, Spain, with over three decades of experience. After working with Design House Cassina in various European countries, he moved to Arizona to write his thesis about Frank Lloyd Write Taliesin’s school of Architecture. Currently, he serves as Client Relationships Manager at Gensler Phoenix, championing innovative strategies in real estate development and driving impactful partnerships and design excellence. A respected faculty member and keynote speaker, Oscar leverages his European design expertise and leadership to inspire industry leaders and shape the future of real estate and architecture through strategic vision and collaboration.

Guest Contributor: Victor Irizarry

Victor Irizarry, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, is a Senior Associate and Senior Project Designer at RSP’s Phoenix office. Known for his passion for visual communication and storytelling, Victor works through design problems in a highly visual and collaborative way. His diverse portfolio, amassed through 25 years of experience, includes projects of various scales in the areas of hospitality, residential, education, workplace, and institutional design. He works closely with clients to create compelling design solutions that meet the project’s objectives while adding beauty and elegance to the final product. He holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master of Architecture from Arizona State University, an institution where he has also been an Associate Professor for over 20 years. In 2017 Victor was recognized by Engineering News Record Southwest as a “Top Young Pro,” has published a variety of thought leadership pieces, and routinely participates in panels regarding the future of the architecture industry.

Transcript:

Transcription for this episode is in progress.

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