Mexican architect displays work in Pittsburgh

The Carnegie Museum of Art's current display, "Laboratory of Architecture" by Mexican architect Fernando Romero, marks a special place in both the museum's history and Romero's career.

This exhibit is Romero's first at the Carnegie Museum. The display, which began in February and will run through May 31, includes 20 projects of illuminated models of architecture in Mexico City. Romero's "hope for a new Mexico" is produced within his works and marks his 10th year of practice in the city itself. He is now even working on projects in both the United States and China.

Carolyn Shriver, of Butler, said the exhibit was "extremely interesting while learning about different forms and ideas."

"The idea of improving the border so our countries can be in harmony is great," Shriver said, referring to Romero's Bridge Museum on the border of Mexico and Texas.

Shriver said her favorite piece was the "the building you can see inside and out - the Master Plan Polanco. It is innovative and is pushing architecture to the next level."

The Master Plan Polanco is designed for the Polanco neighborhood. It includes high rise apartments, offices for multinational corporations and an executive hotel.

The construction on the site begins with a parking garage that can fit nearly 8,000 cars, the largest in Mexico. This design has a clash of geometrics and glass combinations which will bring a more modern feel to the neighborhood.

"[The designs are] very egocentric and built to be different. Romero's architecture is aggressive but monumental. Removing the modern looks from the city scape is appropriate for his notoriety," John Pringle, of Philadelphia, said.

Romero's photos at the exhibit show his ambitious work and knack for urban style. Most of his buildings "dispense right angled corners in favor of contagious curved walls." Romero is interested in unexpected properties of the skin or surface of a particular building and his pieces clearly show his stylish vision for newer, modern designs.

Romero has said that his word-choice for the Laboratory of Architecture "signals a commitment to investigation, analysis, testing and development - in terms of urban planning and physical construction at all scales."

His "laboratory" was first carried out 10 years ago when he created Laboratorie de la Cuidad de Mexico (LCM). This agency was his first architectural office, which helped him bring in new clients and organize cultural events. In recent years, the agency has been shortened to what we now know his exhibit as, "Laboratory of Architecture."

Some other larger projects shown in the exhibit are along the organic style of architecture mentioned, such as the Warsaw Museum of Modern Art and the Biodiversity Museum. Both buildings perch upward from the ground and are built to be environmentally friendly. Aaron Tacinelli, a University of Pittsburgh graduate student from Dayton, Ohio, said he likes what Romero is trying to do.

"He reminds me of Teddy Cruz, whose suburban landscapes are much better, but Romero's formally modern idea is interesting," Tacinelli said.

While Romero's ideas are interesting and creative, his challenge with some particular designs is the social space. He tries to put a dramatic effect on the sites, which slope, and change the look of typical buildings to more updated versions.

One in particular is the Chapel, which will be built in Colonia Cultura Maya in Mexico City. Romero's interest in organic form is brought out in this design and a dramatic effect is placed upon the space. Romero took a completely different look from classic chapel and changed it to abstract and modern.

While most of Romero's designs are organic and modern, he still uses the feel of old Mexico and factors the cultural aspect into his works. His pieces, both creative and original, will continue to make a mark on the world.