COLORES 2026

COLORES, Latinos in Architecture’s seventh annual celebration of Latino culture, will take place September 30-October 2, 2026 at Architecture Center Houston and Kirksey Architecture, with conversations and presentations by Francisco Luna, Buro Verde Arquitectura, Mexico City; Michael Gonzales, AIA, ProtoLab Architects; Chef Otto Sanchez, Magnol French Baking; Marisol Valencia, ceramist and mixed media artist, Karina Gonzalez, Principal Dancer, Houston Ballet; curated dinner by Chef Omar Pereney, Weights + Measures, Petite Lucie and Love Croissants, drinks by Little Taco Shop; featuring music by DJ Steve and DJ Kako; a Mariachi quartet led by Julian Corona-Medina; and more to be announced soon.

Please consider becoming a sponsor of COLORES. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Architecture Center Houston’s Latinos in Architecture scholarship program, established by the AIA Houston Latinos in Architecture Committee in 2019. More information about the scholarship program may be found here.

Wednesday, September 30, 6pm

Join us for an evening with Michael Gonzales, AIA, ProtoLab Architects, and mixed-media artist Marisol Valencia and bites from Chef Omar Pereney.

About Michael Gonzales, AIA
Michael Gonzales is the owner and principal of Protolab Architects, an interdisciplinary design firm concentrating on computation, fabrication, and design. Michael specializes in digital fabrication innovation for civic, commercial, and public art projects. He has extensive experience using the latest fabrication technologies to develop efficient strategies for optimal construction and project delivery across multiple scales and levels of complexity.

Michael is also an Instructional Associate Professor at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, where he teaches foundation design studio and a series of electives in the design media program. He actively publishes and lectures on emerging techniques in computation and design. He received his M.S. in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University GSAPP and his B.Arch from the University of Houston.

Marisol Valencia is a Houston-based artist, born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she studied Restoration and Conservation of Art at ECRO, Escuela de Conservación y Restauración de Occidente. Her latest work culminates Valencia’s extended volunteering at a Houston-area shelter serving migrant women and children. She makes pieces in direct collaboration with women and volunteers at the shelter, using materials soaked in meaning and community.  Her practice focuses on creating unique conversations through the interaction of different materials. She is constantly exploring ways to expand the perception of everyday objects by focusing on their aesthetic and formal qualities, which are often overshadowed by their functionality.

Latinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors
Information about becoming a sponsor is available here. 

Diamond+ Sponsor
Arturo Chavez, AIA

Platinum Sponsor
LESCO Architectural Lighting

Gold Sponsors
Austin Commercial
cre8 Architects
GSMA
Gage Architecture
Kirksey Architecture
MACO Construction
Martinez Architects
Perkins+Will
S&G Engineering Consultants LLC

Silver Sponsors
Durotech
English+Associates Architects
MATRIX Structural
MWA Architects
RDLR Architects

Bronze Sponsors
ALMAAHH
Bass Construction
DBR Engineering
daltile
Forney
HKS
Koehler
Magnol French Baking
Ninyo & Moore
O’Connell Robertson
PGAL
Tarkett
Upchurch Kimbrough