Meet Andrea Alvarez | Founder at Andrea Alvarez Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Alvarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As an optimistic human, I tend to view “risks” as opportunities. Often, my naturally competitive spirit transforms these opportunities into challenges. This mentality has been beneficial, exposing me to diverse circumstances that have significantly influenced both my personal and professional growth. My curiosity, coupled with my refusal to settle for things that aren’t fulfilling or enriching, have made me an active and engaged person. In constant search of growth, learning and experiences, I also find a quiet poetry in the ordinary. I react to life, rather than just going with the flow.

The path has not always been smooth, but I wouldn’t change a thing. The journey has been dynamic, rewarding and meaningful. It has been filled with lessons and experiences that shape who I am today: resilient, creative, empathetic, curious, and driven by the ambition to make a positive impact in this world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Having international experience through collaborating with distinguished architects in both Mexico and the United States has been fundamental to how I lead my own studio today. I design with the final user in mind, prioritizing their lived experience over a picture perfect “moment.” My focus remains on the people who will inhabit or move through the space. This way of designing helps me to remain mindful of the deeper purpose of our profession, to enhance the human experience.

Hard work, community engagement, client/colleague collaboration, and transparency in how I work have all been essential to my practice. When I take on a project, I am fully committed to that its success and I care deeply about the final outcome. At times, this type of passion is challenging as I continue to learn and accept that everything is not always within my control. Many of my colleagues equally devoted to the profession often say that this struggle is something we never truly “master.”

It is always rewarding to walk through the spaces I have carefully planned, to see the rooms come to life that will hold memories, as well as experiencing the relationship with nature I strive to incorporate into every design. I will admit that, at times, I have found myself appreciating the final result even more than I anticipated. But above all, my proudest moments come from hearing clients express how much they love the spaces I designed for them.

What currently excites me the most is designing a house for a dear friend of mine in Todos Santos, Mexico along with my current position as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UTA. I always knew I wanted to join Academia at some point in my life, and I was certain I would enjoy it; but the experience so far has already surpassed my expectations. But I will say, every new project excites me and motivates me — whether new construction, a remodel, or an addition — as each one carries the opportunity to impact lives through space.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think both Dallas – Fort Worth have a lot to offer. I would start with coffee at Noble Coyote followed with lunch at Klyde Warren park and the afternoon at the Nasher Sculpture center and DMA. Dinner and drinks at Almas Rotas.
Another day could be a morning run around White Rock Lake, lunch at Resident Taqueria and a casual stroll around NorthPark to enjoy the light filled spaces and art installations. Dinner at Mot Hai Ba before heading to a concert.
Third day would kick off with coffee at Café Momento in Fort Worth, brunch at Spiral and an obligated visit to the Kimbell and The Modern Art Museum with a quick detour to the Water Gardens before returning to Dallas for dinner at TEN ramen, followed by drinks at Jettison.
For an easy morning, coffee at Wild Detectives and brunch at Written by the Seasons. Exploring Bishop Arts’ stores and boutiques and dinner at Ayahuasca.
Another day could be a walk on Katy Trail, exploring restaurants at The Terminal or Knox area, visiting Marcello Andres’ ceramic studio in The Cedars, and a Mavs game (preferably against Warriors) in the evening.
The last day would be coffee at Wayward, lunch at Manhattan Project, tour around some other smaller projects I like around Dallas including parks in Highland Park and Downtown, and dinner at St. Martin’s Bistro.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While I have always been incredibly independent, my journey has certainly been a collective one. I consider myself extremely lucky to have connected with mentors who guided me through personal and professional challenges, such as Ron Wommack. Another peer who has embraced and encouraged my professional growth — someone I admired from the moment I arrived to Dallas — is my now good friend David Hocker. An amazing platform, not only for inspiration but also meaningful human and professional connections, has been The Dallas Architecture Forum. And of course, I would not be who I am today without the strong, tight, and incredible relationship my siblings, my mother and I have.

Website: https://andreaalvarez.me

Instagram: https://andreaalvarez.studio

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-alvarez-studio

Image Credits
Zach Warner
Adam Stewart
VER3D