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.

Thursday, October 1, 5:30pm

An evening with Francisco Luna of Buro Verde Arquitectura, Mexico City; Chef Otto Sanchez, Magnol French Baking; 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.

Francisco Luna Ugarte, a Mexico-based architect and self-described snake charmer, will share his career adventures and misadventures in architecture. With more than three decades of professional experience, he is the founding partner of Buró Verde Arquitectura in Mexico City, whose focus has been on the relationship between architecture, landscape, urban environments, and society.

Chef Otto Sanchez, of Magnol French Bakery, will share his culinary journey and a sampling of breads and pastries.
Born in El Salvador, Chef Otto arrived in Houston at 19 and diligently worked his way through the ranks in kitchens all over the globe including Alain Ducasse’s MIX in Las Vegas; Sous Chef at Joël Robuchon’s Michelin-starred venue, The Mansion; and Executive Pastry Chef positions at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, and the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai, UAE.

Trained in the French culinary classics, Chef Otto returned to Houston to open a bakery of his very own, Magnol French Bakery. Chef Otto will share is culinary journey and a sampling of pastries and breads.

About Francisco Luna Ugarte
Francisco Luna Ugarte is a Mexican architect and founding partner of Buró Verde Arquitectura, Mexico City. His work encompasses cultural landscapes, public spaces, urban design, infrastructure, institutional planning, and multidisciplinary projects in Mexico, the United States, China, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. His projects have received national and international recognition, including awards from CEMEX, ESCALA, INFONAVIT, and the Mexican Architecture Biennial. Luna Ugarte has also maintained an extensive academic career, teaching architecture, urban design, and landscape at universities in Mexico and the United States, including La Salle University, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Boston Architectural College, and North Carolina State University. His approach combines design, critical thinking, and a deep interest in how cities and people interact.

About Chef Otto Sanchez
Chef Otto Sanchez began his culinary career in Houston at the Omni Houston Hotel before serving as opening Pastry Chef for 17 Restaurant at The Sam Houston Hotel in 2003. During his three-year tenure, the culinary team garnered national acclaim and multiple industry accolades.

In late 2005, Otto relocated to Las Vegas to refine his craft under world-renowned talent. Over the next decade, he held key leadership roles at elite international and Michelin-starred establishments, including Executive Sous-Chef of Pastry at Alain Ducasse’s MIX in Las Vegas, Executive Pastry Chef at the LEED Platinum-Certified Bardessono Hotel in Yountville, California, and Sous Chef at Joël Robuchon’s Michelin-starred venue, The Mansion. His career trajectory led him to Executive Pastry Chef positions at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, and the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai, UAE.

Following his return to Houston, Otto served as Executive Pastry Chef at La Table before launching his flagship venture, Magnol, in May 2019.

Latinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors
Information about becoming a sponsor can be found here. 

Platinum Sponsor

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