Martín Gómez Platero on Fix TV: “Architecture is art with risk and passion”
At Casa FOA Carrasco Boating Edition, Martín Gómez Platero took part in a Charlas Fix event for Fix TV, interviewed by Ana Matyszczyk. In a candid conversation, the architect reflected on art, risk, sustainability, and identity in contemporary architecture.
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During the first edition of Casa FOA in Uruguay at Carrasco Boating, Martín Gómez Platero participated in a new edition of Charlas Fix with Ana Matyszczyk. The meeting fostered an exchange about art, risk, sustainability, and identity in contemporary architecture.
From the outset, Gómez Platero presented a clear vision: architecture is, above all, a form of art. “Architecture is (…) much more art than business,” he stated.
Each project involves taking risks, from the selection of materials to professional reputation, but passion for the craft is the driving force that pushes one to overcome any fear. This philosophy is reflected in every project at the Studio, where local tradition is combined with an international outlook, the result of training that integrates Uruguayan roots and academic experience in the United States.
On sustainable architectural design, Gómez Platero emphasized that sustainability must be embraced as a deep conviction. He acknowledged that Uruguay’s economic context presents challenges to achieving the highest standards in every project, but he underscored his team’s commitment to moving in that direction, always seeking a balance between innovation and feasibility.
The relationship with the client was also a topic of reflection. For Gómez Platero, the client is the driving force of the creative process, and building a relationship of trust is fundamental to achieving results where everyone wins: “The client’s perspective is key (...). But it has to be a win-win logic. The client has to win, but so does the city.” This philosophy translates into architecture that engages in dialogue with its context, respecting scale, noble materials, and local identity.
According to Gómez Platero, Uruguayan identity is expressed through proportion, constructive honesty, and respect for the environment. Far from chasing fleeting trends, the firm is committed to creating works designed to endure, capable of maintaining their relevance and significance over the decades. He emphasized that “Uruguayan architecture is not trendy architecture; it is calm, measured, based on good proportions and noble materials.”
Gómez Platero assures that, in the firm, leadership is exercised in a direct, approachable, and honest manner, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration. The success of each project is understood as the result of collective commitment and synergy among all team members, where leadership only makes sense when it is supported by joint effort.
The talk concluded with an invitation to value local professional capacity: for Gómez Platero, Uruguayan talent can face any global challenge. It is only necessary to pursue new opportunities and dare to compete on the internacional stage.
