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About the work
of Luis Sánchez Renero and Sánchez Arquitectos
XAVIER GUZMAN
URBIOLA
Few architecture firms are able to
publish an anthology of their recent works without incurring
immediately into an exercise of self-praise. However, there
are some offices that can do so withoutt false pretensions
and fake modesties. This volume compiles the last twenty
years of the emblematic projects that Sánchez Arquitectos y
Asociados has developed. Far from being an act of
self-complacency it gives the group a reason to celebrated,
for it is no small feat to add yet another twenty years to
their achievements, and also, a celebration for the body of
architects, and also, I would like to add, for the entire
Mexican society who should congratulate itself for having a
group of such committed, high quality professionals in this
field.
A book like this doesn´t only show the
work of Sánchez Arquitectos y Asociados, it also tell us
about an outstanding chapter in the recent history of
Mexican architecture. It is destined to become a source of
reference for anyone seeking information about the elements
that defined modern architecture in the country. The
eloquent images and index cards could achieve this task on
their own, yet the collaborations of Humberto Ricalde and
Victor Jiménez add and unusual weight and strength to it.
Thanks to them the book not only offers a fantastic
collection of visual and written ideas, buy they ponder tha
value of the group´s achievements. Ricalde´s text offers a
perspective to the work of Sánchez Arquitectos y Asociados
that dispels the initial false impression that this book is
only intertwines with a broader plot where the importance
lies in the construction of public housing, public
buildings, preserving old buildings or in the development or
urban projects, Jiménez segregates and analyzes the
achievements of ¨The Sánchez ¨- as they are known
colloquially- in separate parts. With the sharpness of a
specialist, he highlights their successes and notes their
limitations. In spite of this, the work of Sánches
Arquitectos y Asociados passes the test of the critics
thanks to their solidity, congruency and virtuosity.
As far as I am concerned, I am interested
in pointing out yhe dialogue of their projects. It´s a
dialogue between needs and solutions, society and
architecture, planes and volumes, construction and context,
and above all, between tradition and modernity. Félix, Luis,
Fernando, Raúl and Gustavo for the office, and they know how
to be sensitive to the surroundings of their work,
particularly in México City. They have also applied this to
their works in San Miguel de Allende and Valle de Bravo and
to the complexity of working with ancient buildings. It has
been through the need to preserve the patrimony and fulfill
the requirements of modern life that Sánchez Arquitectos y
Asociados have managed to make notable creations where
materials and avant-garde techniques coexist in harmony with
tradition.
I believe that it has been their respect
for the past, and their commitment to the forever-changing
reality, that explains the persistence of ¨The Sánchez¨.
With such strong convictions, I dare say we will probably be
welcoming a new volume of their works in 2026.
Xavier Gúzman Urbiola
Director of Architecture an Patrimony
Conservation of Artistic Buildings
INBA
Sánchez Arquitectos web site
Author:
Álvaro Mutis
Author:
Jorge Tamés y Batta
Author:
Humberto Ricalde G.
Author:
Víctor Jiménez
Author:
Xavier Guzmán Urbiola
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