Airdate: Here are the Arquitectas

Architecture and Design streaming service Shelter has an Original series it has commissioned, Here are the Arquitectas, dropping from next week.

The three part series profiles the new wave of female architects working internationally from Mexico.

Alison Arieff’s 2018 New York Times article sparked a series of debates in and around the architectural community when she asked the question: “Where are all the female architects?”

The debate raised issues with the culture of the industry, hiring practices, the glass ceiling and the pay gap between male and female architects.

It also struggled to find a definitive answer or path forward for the industry; beyond fixing the pay differences and increasing the profile and visibility of female architects.

But for filmmakers Kate Kliwadenko & Mario Novas, the journey towards closing the gap begins now, with Shelter Originals: Here are the Arquitectas.

Featuring Fernanda Canales, Tatiana Bilbao, Rozana Montiel and Claudia Rodriguez; this three episode series profiles the new wave of female architects working internationally from Mexico, who are looking to take a more personal, subtle and connected approach to architecture and design, that embraces the challenges of financial limitation and the natural environment.

From the team behind Shelter Originals: Mexity & Architecture on the Edge – return once again to explore the vibrant, fascinating and rapidly evolving world of architecture in Latin America, and discover the female architects trailblazing their own paths in a male-dominated industry, and see how a different style of design and collaboration is creating stunning, sustainable and ground breaking architecture.

“I’d like to think the interest in my architectural work isn’t because of my gender as a woman, but it’s about the quality of the work.” – Fernanda Canales

“Making it as a collective, creative process; you’ll find more paths, answers and possibilities for people to live better.” – Tatiana Bilbao

“It’s related to how we intertwine in the city. The way I approach how we make cities, has to do with small tactics or acupunctures.” – Rozana Montiel

Episode 1: Fernanda Canales (Available March 18)
Explore the stunning red brick Terreno House, located on the foot of a mountain three hours from Mexico City. Designed by Canales for her family, the house embraces and incorporates the excess and damaged building materials into the design, and creates shelter from the radical weather while allowing in as much light and views into the stunning natural surroundings. Wander through the stark and modular Bruma House; a series of inter-connected buildings designed in sync with the existing trees and the passage of morning and evening light, structured around a large patio. As unique as it is functional. Then venture into the Monte Alban neighbourhood in Mexico City; 21 apartments developed as a reinterpretation of the neighbourhood model, with an iconic serrated roof design that introduces natural light to the homes on the upper level and provides greater continuity to the neighbourhood as a whole.

Episode 2: Tatiana Bilbao (Available March 25)
Wander through the tranquil Ajijic House, nestled between Chapala Lake and its surrounding mountains in Jalisco; designed and built with the very earth it sits upon, to avoid major design compromises with the project’s tiny budget. Next, see the same successful and efficient earth-based building techniques replicated for the École Maternelle, an elementary school in Jalisco, that implements flexible spaces that prioritise a direct connection with the outside landscape. Finally, travel to Casa del Parque in the city centre of Guadalajara. With its striking red-brick facade with movement-generating vertical lines, flowing natural light, and careful composition of earthy construction materials; Casa del Parque is an oasis of calm in the middle of a busy city.

Episode 3: Rozana Montiel & Claudia Rodriguez (Available April 1)
Climb the spiral staircase into the elevated Nidos House, woven with a beautiful and seamless harmony into the ecological reserve El Peñón. Subtly resting above the earth on a series of load-bearing walls, the house imitates a classic bird’s nest, suspended in the treetops, while causing as little disturbance to the natural surroundings as possible. Then, head next-door to Encinos House, a playful, bright space in the middle of the forest. Designed and built with many small open spaces, working around the huge existing oak trees; creating a stunning and harmonious outdoor living space that embraces the natural habitat. Finally, return from the forest to Mexico City, and explore the calm and soft Pilares, a social impact urban project. Featuring a cyberschool, arts & crafts workshops, sports facilities, an orchard and classrooms for entrepreneurship & job training lessons, Pilares is designed as a public, inclusive and multifunctional space.

Written & Directed by Kate Kliwadenko & Mario Novas
Executive Producers: Dustin Clare & Camille Clare