“If every ritual makes your life a little more beautiful, I think you’ve made it.”
On one side of the bar at Javier’s Finest Foods of Mexico, Luis Ruíz and Ricardo Reyes, both architects with remarkable backgrounds and unique approaches, stand ready. They greet each other with camaraderie and mutual respect and, in a fluid dialogue between laughter and more introspective comments, show a genuine interest in each other’s ideas. Thus, they anticipate an interview that promises to enrich them and the audience.
Luis, a native of Acapulco, is the principal architect behind one of Mexico’s most exclusive luxury lifestyle design studios -the renowned Progressive Design firm in Cabo San Lucas. He has developed a design formula based on innovation, classicism, and sophistication. Luis defines his success in the industry as initiating and maintaining collaborative working relationships with clients, contractors, artisans, and art consultants.
Curiosity, empathy, creativity, and enthusiasm are traits that delineate Luis’ engaging personality, which also leads him to podcasting. His communication skills shine through in the interview she conducts in Progressive Design Podcast.
Ricardo is a member of the editorial board of Tendencia and the Director of Land & Building Magazine, a real estate publication in Los Cabos that collaborates with a community of experts. He is also the Director of the 1st Developers Golf Tournament presented by Land & Building. Ricardo is a professional with a solid background and trajectory in architecture. His career has been marked by creating innovative and sustainable projects that have contributed to the development of Los Cabos. Additionally, he is recognized as an excellent interviewer, exhibiting active listening, genuine curiosity, and a dynamic conversational style.
The restaurant’s elegant and cozy atmosphere, blending contemporary design and traditional Mexican elements, provides the ideal setting for a conversation about architecture.
Ricardo: Today, it’s your turn to be interviewed. After this interview, many fellow architects and readers will surely follow you. Tell us, who is Luis Ruiz?
Luis: “What a good question! I am a son who is passionate about my parents. I am a person who loves the beauty search and enjoys incorporating it into my projects. In that process of transformation, I also love to collect experiences. That’s who I am as a person. What do I do? I work in architecture and interior design, but who am I? I am a collector of experiences.”
Ricardo: What an excellent definition! As an architect in Los Cabos, you can create something amazing and unique on a blank canvas. I visited your office and was impressed by your color palettes, sensitivity, and passion for your work. When did you arrive in Los Cabos, and how did you become involved in the area?
Luis: “I went to study for a master’s degree when Monterrey was experiencing some instability, so I temporarily moved to the United States. However, I longed to return to Mexico and immerse myself in my culture. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate American culture, but I strongly desired to return. Eventually, my family and I went on vacation to Los Cabos, and I fell in love with the place. There’s a saying that you’ll stay if you drink the seawater in Los Cabos. Well, that’s precisely what happened to me. I took three big sips; from then on, I never wanted to leave.”
Ricardo: I find interior design to be incredibly fascinating. As an architect or interior designer, I am curious about the origins of beauty. What are your design philosophies as an architect?
Luis: “I think the beauty search comes naturally to all human beings; it is an intrinsic search.”
Ricardo: I can see that you are passionate about beauty and spaces. I took the time to look at your work; wow, it is beautiful. I have always said that the client, or the one who perceives our work, must have the “wow” effect because that is what we look for as architects. How do you achieve or find it?
Luis: “We can divide the answer into two parts. The first part is the collection of experiences. These experiences stem from my passion for space. They blend influences from good cuisine, other interior designers’ proposals, travel, and visiting landscapes. For instance, I recently went skiing in Bariloche, and the landscapes were breathtaking. While walking on Isla Victoria, I saw wild pines at incredible heights, which was truly amazing
So, how can you capture the feeling of being so small next to these giant pine trees? You can bring the grandeur of nature into an interior that reflects the greatness of God. These experiences can be translated into architecture and applied to interior design. When curating this, the results are invigorating and completely original.”
Ricardo: Is your expertise in interior design or the architecture of space?
Luis: “I enjoy designing from the moment the land is chosen. I look at views, orientations, and prevailing winds. I love the entire theme of architecture and the structures of houses. I prefer striking and exuberant structures and like robust architecture. I have nothing against thin or light structures, but I prefer columns to look and feel like columns. I attribute my preference for solid architecture to my training with Agustín Landa at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
When I was first invited to do an interior project, curiously, I didn’t want to do it. I felt like less, but the person who sought me out at the time was one of the most influential people in the country. So, it was hard to say no. I think it was one of those first learning and quantum leaps because the truth is that I got an excellent project at a time when I didn’t have the experience to do it since I was 25 years old. I was fortunate to have that door open for me. Many times, having doors open or opening doors doesn’t depend on you, but keeping them open does.”
Ricardo: If you see a photo of one of your jobs and say, “I want to be there,” how does that synergy happen with other professionals, including owners?
Luis: “When I collaborate with other architects, but in the role of an interior designer, I get involved in the project as soon as possible. Falling in love with architecture is very important to me. Interior design results are much higher if you create a good synergy with the architect. Sometimes, the client becomes tense because the process takes a long time, and they don’t understand the timing. The architect’s role is to provide peace of mind and support the client throughout that time. We must be very clear: my commitment is not to the client but to the project. I am hired to create a successful project that evokes emotions, and that’s precisely what I do.”
Ricardo: It is extraordinary to me that you dare to make changes and answer to your clients even though it is beneficial to them and the projects. Please tell me what you would like progressive design to be known for as an office.
Luis: “Our office operates on a reasonably democratic basis, but I do have the right to veto decisions. We are dedicated to serving our clients. For instance, if a client suggests a “Hacienda Santa Fe, California” style, ultimately, I will respect your wishes as the architect, but I would also like to present another possibility. Our progressive approach means that, regardless of the client’s background, age, or preferences, I always encourage them to analyze and consider how we can modernize their concept if they’re open to it.”
Ricardo: It’s evident why you have a podcast; there’s so much to discuss. How did this podcast come about, and who is the target audience?
Luis: “The podcast started as a hobby, and honestly, I did not intend to become big or make a living from it. However, it was the means I found to talk to my clients and learn more about them. I am fortunate to have very high-profile clients; they are interesting people in their vocation, but I needed to get to know them better. “I almost always go and show my project and convince, sell, and deliver.”
In the end, it was a one-sided conversation, a monologue. I realized I was the only one speaking and sharing my thoughts and ideas. I wanted to hear from my clients and learn about their professions and experiences. The podcast became a platform for these conversations, away to learn from the people I found fascinating. It’s not just a podcast; it’s a tool for learning and growth.
With the conviction that lifestyle reflects special moments and cherished possessions, Luis brings his design ideas to life by considering his ideal morning experience and how he starts his day after a restful night’s sleep. He finds joy in the beauty of everyday things, from choosing a chair to enjoy a morning cup of coffee to cherishing an antique heirloom with a rich family history. Luis has built a solid reputation and has a prestigious and impressive clientele who appreciate his custom designs and timeless creations.
He is also passionate about rituals that enhance life, such as watching the sunrise over the sea every morning. The curtains in his room are set to open at dawn to reveal the vastness of the sea. “After five minutes, they close again because the sun is strong, but that’s my natural alarm clock. Creating these rituals for each beautiful moment throughout the day positively impacts your quality of life. If each ritual adds a little more beauty to your life, then you’ve succeeded.”
