Manuel Martinez Rodriguez

Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Education Background: Tec de Monterrey

How did you get interested in your field?
Since I finished my undergrad degree I’ve been dedicated to designing spaces we inhabit, and I’ve always had a curiosity about ways in which we can explore this practice. This curiosity has taken me to explore architecture, looking for innovative ways in which we can interpret and build space.

What was your background prior to coming to Penn?
Before coming to Penn I had a practice in Mexico where I developed projects exploring architecture from different angles. As an associate at  Landa+Martinez Arquitectos I’ve learned from my mentors to approach building processes from the architectural discipline, with great value placed in drawing and studio work. Alongside this work, I had my architecture practice, Taller Arquitectonico, where we explored different ways to approach built space and architecture, mainly working with houses and cultural spaces. 

Other activities that I organized and are related to architecture are the film screening project Ciclo de Cine CASA, where we showcased architecture related film documentaries, and AMMA, a print newspaper with architectural analysis writings and drawings. I was also a professor teaching single and multi-family housing courses at the undergraduate level at Tec de Monterrey’s architecture school.

Why did you choose Penn?
I first came to Penn to see the Richards Medical Laboratory building by Louis Kahn, and to visit the Architectural Archives at the Kroiz Galley, where they have an incredible collection that includes Kahn’s drawings and other records. After visiting, the idea of studying a graduate degree program and being close to these resources was very exciting to me. When I started looking for information about different options I found that Penn’s vision, particularly from AAD’s program director Ali Rahim, are very compatible with my personal views about innovation in architecture. Listening to Ali speak about his vision and the program convinced me that this would be a great challenge and opportunity to learn new perspectives. 

What has been your favorite class so far?
My favorite class so far has been the Design Studio. The work and design process we have followed so far has been exciting and has required deep design research. We have followed a work process that involved studying precedents and their components to begin to conceptualize our projects. I have also enjoyed the feedback and vision provided by our critics Lane Rick, Fabian Llonch, Martin Fernandez and Ali Rahim. It’s been a great challenge! 

I have also enjoyed the Contemporary Theory class and learning from Ariane Harrison, her subject matter expertise is vast and she has a great ability to foster interesting class discussion where we can share our thoughts and points of view. 

What do you like best about Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is an amazing city with a wealth of interesting houses and buildings. I like walking around the city and noticing how the image and atmosphere changes from neighborhood to neighborhood. Sometimes I’ll walk from Penn’s campus in University City, which is incredible, to Center City with the tall buildings, to Old city to where the city’s most historic buildings are, all the way to the neighborhood where I live, Fishtown, that is a bit more residential and has a lot of neighborhood identity and life.  

My favorite places are Society Hill and the historic rowhouses that contrast with the work of Louis Sauer and I.M. Pei to form a place with a unique identity. I also really enjoy walking around campus and all of the different spaces it has, perhaps my favorite one is the Fisher Library.  

What kinds of activities and/or organizations are you involved in?
I’m involved with WeLACSA, the Mexico club, and I look to be at the events organized by the Casa Latina, and the Graduate Center. I have also taken advantage of the services and programs provided by the Weingarten Center.

What are your career ambitions?
I would like to form a group of Latin American architects trained at Penn and contribute to the practice of architecture in Latin America. In my personal practice I hope that the approach to the design process I am learning at Penn will enable me to find innovative solutions that can be used at scale for multi-family buildings and mixed use developments in Mexico.