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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T180000
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DTSTAMP:20260401T193003Z
CREATED:20260324T165117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T193003Z
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SUMMARY:TertuLiAs: Designing the Everyday
DESCRIPTION:Join the Latinos in Architecture (LiA) Committee for an intimate TertuLiA a three-part series featuring leaders from diverse practice areas. The series highlights how Latino professionals are finding their voice\, contributing to the profession\, advocating for representation\, and uplifting the next generation\, from high school students to emerging architects. While reflecting on how Houston’s Latino population influences design and architectural work across the industry. \nFor our first 2026 TertuLiA\, we are focusing on residential\, design–build\, high-end\, and small commercial practices including Paul Benavente (Stella Maris Architecture)\, Luisa Aurrecoechea (LEAM Design + Build)\, Franco Albarran\, AIA (Albarran Architects) and Paola Rubio (Paola Rubio Design Studio). Starting the TertuLiAs series this year with residential design professionals offers meaningful benefits for us as Latinos in Architecture. Residential work remains one of the most accessible and community-connected areas of practice\, especially for early- and mid-career Latino designers. By learning from colleagues who specialize in residential\, design–build\, high end projects and small commercial\, we gain insight into project delivery methods\, client engagement\, and business development models that often lead to entrepreneurial opportunities\, pathways where Latinos have historically thrived. \nOf the over 121\,000 registered architects in the United States\, only 6 percent identify as Latino or Hispanic\, according to NCARB.  Latinos represent 19.1 percent of the total U.S. population\, the nation’s second largest ethnic group.  In Houston\, Latinos comprise 44.1 percent of the population. \nJoin us for this first 2026 session to hear about their experience\, their journey\, challenges\, successes\, and how they’ve shaped their practice. \nThis session will take place at one of LEAM Design + Build’s residential projects. \n\nAbout the Panelists \nFranco Albarran\, AIA\nFranco has extensive knowledge in Custom Residential Architectural Design and Construction. He also has an excellent construction discipline as he coordinates the interconnectivity of architecture and construction. His job site awareness brings a higher level of control through proactive steps that elevate the value of the project. Franco‘s passion for design and construction have led him to be fully engaged in both disciplines of architecture and construction. He feels both disciplines are interconnected and provide feedback for one another. \nLuisa Aurrecoechea\, LEED AP BD+C\nLuisa Aurrecoechea is the founder and principal of LEAM Design Build\, a Houston-based design and construction firm specializing in custom residential architecture and interior design. Originally from Venezuela\, Luisa earned her architecture degree in Caracas and later completed a Master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma and a furniture design degree at the University of Buenos Aires. \nShe began her career working on a wide range of commercial and institutional projects in the United States\, including schools\, theaters\, and large-scale developments. After years in commercial architecture\, she founded her own firm to design and build thoughtfully crafted homes that blend sustainability\, practicality\, and contemporary design. \nWith over a decade of professional experience\, Luisa is passionate about guiding clients through the entire process\, from concept and design to construction\, creating homes and interiors that are both beautiful and functional. Her work emphasizes efficient building methods\, strong collaboration with clients and builders\, and spaces that support the way families live today. \nPaul Benavente\nPaul Benavente owns and operates Stella Maris Architecture\, which is located within a NASA-era building across from Space Center Houston.  He and a long-term architecture colleague serve projects in light commercial\, residential\, and institutional sectors. Paul earned degrees in Architecture and Scholastic Philosophy in 2002 and 2007\, respectively. He possesses licenses in Texas and New Mexico. \nPaul finds inspiration in domestic and international travel\, making each vacation a “study trip” in architecture.  Both Instagram and the office photo document these inspiring moments in architecture.  His education in philosophy is foundational to his practice.  The firm’s motto derives from a perennial understanding of beauty in created work: “Beauty as a Discipline of Architectural Practice.”  A study of architecture explained according to philosophical principles was nationally published in Palladiana\, 2020\, and continues to be a source of education passed on to students.  The craft of building is a passion.  Paul has visited fabrication shops of various trades and has organized open house events for trades such as terrazzo and decorative plaster. \nPaola Rubio\nPaola Rubio is the Founder and Creative Director of Paola Rubio Design Studio\, a Houston-based boutique interior design studio specializing in high-impact commercial and hospitality environments. Born and raised in Veracruz\, Mexico\, Paola began her career in architecture\, graduating with honors from the National Technological Institute of Mexico before relocating to Houston to pursue her passion for interior design. \nShe began her U.S. career at a high-end residential design firm\, where she developed a strong foundation in luxury detailing and refined aesthetics. Driven by a deeper passion for experiential spaces\, Paola transitioned into the commercial sector\, serving as Design Director at a design-build firm known for delivering complex\, high-end projects. \nNow leading her own studio\, Paola focuses on creating thoughtful\, brand-driven environments that elevate the user experience. Her work reflects a balance between creative vision and real-world execution\, shaped by her design-to-build approach. She is currently pursuing her NCIDQ certification while continuing to expand her growing portfolio of commercial projects across Texas.
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/tertulias-designing-the-everyday/
LOCATION:LEAM Project Site\, 1226 Krist Dr\, Houston\, TX\, 77055\, United States
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Calendar-4.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T193000
DTSTAMP:20260812T135212Z
CREATED:20260807T184426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T135212Z
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SUMMARY:EnLAce: Domino Night with LiA Maestros
DESCRIPTION:This year’s Enlace introduces a new and engaging format: a rotating domino game night designed to spark genuine conversations and connections in a relaxed\, interactive environment. Through time-based gameplay and table rotations\, participants will have the opportunity to engage with several LiA Maestros throughout the evening\, creating a unique\, fun\, and memorable mentoring experience. \nEnLAce is open to all professionals looking for career development and growth. \nNo dominoes experience required. We will begin the evening with a brief tutorial to make it easy and enjoyable for everyone to participate. \nLuis Ayala\, AIA\, Luis Ayala Studio\nSofia Fonseca de Nino\, AIA\nMichael Gonzales\, AIA\, protolab\nYvette Herrera Duran\, Assoc. AIA\, Stantec\nDaniel Ortiz\, AIA\, RDLR\nBayardo Selva\, AIA\, Cre8\nCindy Villareal\, AIA\, O’Connell Robertson \nGenerously sponsored by Perkins&Will.  \n\nLuis Ayala\, AIA\, Owner\, Luis Ayala Studio\nLuis is a Paraguayan architect that migrated to Houston in 2007. He has focused mostly on the design of education facilities for higher education institutions and K-12 schools. His expertise includes campus design\, master planning\, programming\, and facility design. \nLuis has many other skills that complement his abilities as a designer and architect. Sustainability is one of Luis’s stronger interests\, and many of his projects have received design awards recognizing his innovation in green design. Luis is also an avid architectural photographer\, recognized in 2017 by the Texas Society of Architects with the Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Architecture Trough the Media. \nLuis fluently speaks Spanish\, Portuguese\, Italian\, and English. In 2016\, Luis was distinguished by YAF Houston as a part Emerging Voices Exhibition and later the same year by AIA National as an Emerging Professional. Recently\, in 2020 the AIA Houston awarded him with the Ben Brewer Award for Young Architects. \nMichael Gonzales\, AIA\, Owner\, protolab\nMichael Gonzales is the owner and principal of Protolab Architects. Michael specializes in digital fabrication innovation for civic\, cultural and commercial projects. He has extensive experience working with the latest fabrication technologies to develop efficient strategies for optimal construction and project delivery at all scales and complexities. Michael is also an Instructional Associate Professor at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design where he focuses on the integration of digital design and fabrication. He actively publishes and lectures on emerging techniques in computation and design \n  \nYvette Herrera Duran\, Assoc. AIA\, Stantec\nYvette Herrera Duran is an architectural designer based in Houston Texas. Her experience expands from many years in high-end residential design to now corporate commercial architecture at Page. \nBorn and raised in Guatemala\, she moved to Miami to pursue her Undergraduate Studies in Interior Design at Florida International University. After working for a few years at a high-end residential architecture firm\, where architecture and interiors were strongly interconnected\, she pursued her master’s in architecture at Rice University. \nFrom an early age she was trained in flamenco dancing\, which she has continued practicing. During her years in Miami\, she trained in ballroom dance and later\, while getting her masters\, she complimented her knowledge in the arts with theatre classes.  All these various art languages influence how she experiences spaces and the development of her detailed oriented designs.  She currently works in various design typologies from academic to healthcare to multifamily communities. \nDaniel Ortiz\, AIA\, President and Managing Principal\, RDLR Architects\nDaniel Ortiz\, AIA\, was born in Ecuador and serves as President and Managing Principal of RDLR Architects\, a Houston firm dedicated to community-driven design. Under his leadership\, RDLR creates architecture that strengthens neighborhoods through public\, nonprofit\, transit\, education\, and housing projects. He also serves as Board President of Avenue CDC and Chairman of TIRZ 21\, advancing equitable community development in Houston’s Near Northside. \nBayardo Selva\, AIA\, Cre8\nBayardo has turn his childhood building blocks play time into an Architectural career that expands over 20 years. His experienced has allowed him to engage a wide variety of project types and scales. He actively participates in the community through different organizations promoting architecture\, protecting the environment\, mentoring the youth and celebrating diversity including AIA Houston Young Architects Forum (Chair\, 2014)\, AIA Board of Directors 2015-2018 and 2023-present (AIAH Board President\, 2026)\, Houston Hispanic Architects and Engineers Board Member 2016-2019\, Houston MOD Board Member 2019-Present\, Houston Fit Running Club 2012-Present\, and founding member of the AIA Houston Latinos in Architecture. \nHe considers himself a student of the profession and enjoys perfecting his craft! \n\nCindy Villareal\, AIA\, Houston Office Director\, O’Connell Robertson\nCindy Villarreal is a seasoned leader in architectural planning and project acquisition\, with a strong focus on higher education and healthcare initiatives across Texas. As the Houston Office Director\, Cindy is instrumental in expanding business development efforts throughout the Houston region while driving strategic growth statewide. \nWith decades of experience in the design of higher education and Science and Technology facilities\, Cindy has led projects ranging from allied health and nursing schools to dental institutions and advanced diagnostics and neuroscience laboratories. Her expertise lies in managing multidisciplinary design teams and fostering collaboration to ensure projects are delivered successfully. \nCindy is a passionate advocate for sustainable and resilient design. She champions human-centric environments that prioritize occupant well-being and support thriving communities. Her leadership continues to shape spaces that are not only functional and efficient but also inspiring and inclusive.
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/enlace-domino-night-with-lia-maestros/
LOCATION:Architecture Center Houston\, 902 Commerce St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/LIA-Enlace-Domino-Night_16x9-Website-scaled.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260915T203000
DTSTAMP:20260812T183715Z
CREATED:20260806T191216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T183715Z
UID:10000303-1789498800-1789504200@architecturehouston.org
SUMMARY:Latinos in Architecture: MaS
DESCRIPTION:The Latinos in Architecture (LiA) collegiate Mentorship and Scholarship program (MaS)\, through AIA Houston and Architecture Center Houston\, intends to bridge the gap between students and professionals in the Latino architecture community. The MaS program matches college students pursuing a career path in architecture with a mentor who has an established career in the field. The program is for Latino students who are striving to influence the future of the built environment and the architecture profession. MaS will kick off on September 15\, 2026\, and conclude in May 2027. \n\n\n\n\n\nPROGRAM ELIGIBILITYfor the mentorship: \n\nStudents have the option to participate only in the mentorship program and not pursue the scholarship. But students are welcome to participate in any MaS-related events.\nStudents pursuing a degree in architecture at the University of Houston\, Rice University\, or Prairie View A&M University.\nThe program is open to both US citizens and foreign students.\n\nfor the scholarship: \n\nStudents with at least one more academic year to apply scholarship funds directly to tuition. \nStudents with full scholarships are not eligible.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTSThe 2026-2027 program starts in September 2026 and ends in May 2027. \n\nRegularly check in with an assigned mentor (at least 4 times). These meetings can be in-person\, virtual\, or via phone call. \n​Participate in the kick-off event where they will meet the mentors. Kick-off will take place September 15 at 7pm. \nParticipate in the portfolio review organized by the LiA Committee.\nAttend three LiA\, AIAH\, TSA or HNOMA-sponsored events. Not including student chapters or student-led events. Students are required to take a selfie at each event.\nAttend their university or college career fair.\nSubmit a PDF on a project or portfolio at the end of the Fall semester.\nSubmit a 5-minute video on a project or portfolio at the end of the Spring semester. The video should not be a recording of a class crit and should not exceed 5 minutes.\n\n\n\n\n\nAWARDS \nStudents must participate in the listed activities to be considered for the scholarship. These activities are meant to support and complement the student’s academic career. \nScholarships will be awarded based on student participation in the program and their end-of-semester submission\, which will be reviewed by a jury. 
URL:https://architecturehouston.org/event/latinos-in-architecture-mas2026/
LOCATION:Architecture Center Houston\, 902 Commerce St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77002\, United States
CATEGORIES:Latinos in Architecture Committee
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://architecturehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Artboard-2-100.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Jennifer Ward":MAILTO:jennifer@aiahouston.org
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