Edición 89 | Visionarias del espacio
abril/mayo
23 junio 2026
Glocal 89 | Alejandra Tornel and HEMAA: Architecture Is Non-Negotiable
Giving in is easy; the real challenge in architecture is sustaining an idea when everything pushes in the opposite direction: the client, the budget, the deadlines, and the noise. Architectural practice doesn’t break from a lack of talent, but from an excess of concessions.
Uncompromising Architecture: The HEMAA Philosophy
Giving in is easy; the real challenge in architecture is sustaining an idea when everything pushes in the opposite direction. “Practice doesn’t break from a lack of talent, but from an excess of concessions,” states Alejandra Tornel, co-founder of the Mexico City-based architecture and development studio HEMAA. Established in 2011 alongside partners José Miguel Fainsod and Santiago Hernández Matos, the firm has built a reputation for meticulously integrating architecture with its context, paying rigorous attention to detail, and creating deeply livable atmospheres. A project does not fail on the drawing board; it fails when professionals stop defending it. Coherence is not rigidity—it is a fundamental form of respect for the project’s essence.
From the Construction Site to Leading a Studio
“I started my career on-site. I vividly remember the first time I arrived at a construction project: hard hat on, brand new boots, and a mix of excitement and insecurity that was hard to hide,” shares Alejandra Tornel, reflecting on her journey. Graduating from the Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA) in 2005, she quickly learned that managing a project wasn’t about imposing authority, but about making things happen through people. Architecture transcends space design; it is about coordinating wills, building trust, and aligning an entire team toward a single vision. For Tornel, managing expectations from day one is vital, as misaligned expectations are a guaranteed recipe for failure.
Patience, Growth, and the Radical Advice of Benjamín Romano
Building a successful architectural practice requires embracing a culture that defies today’s obsession with immediacy. Throughout HEMAA’s growth, patience has become an indispensable ally. “There are moments when projects flourish, but the business is still taking off; others when the business grows, but internal processes are still adjusting,” Tornel explains. During one of their first major projects, renowned architect Benjamín Romano gave them a simple yet defining piece of advice: “Don’t compromise.” Holding onto that core idea—never letting go of the project’s essence despite external pressures—became the guiding force that allowed them to achieve the precise results they envisioned.
Post-Pandemic Rituals and a New Design Sensitivity
The uncertainty of the pandemic taught the HEMAA team that constant production must be balanced with strategic pauses. This realization translated into non-negotiable studio rituals, such as an analytical planning exercise every Monday. This allows the team to “zoom out,” look at the bigger picture, and remember their ultimate destination rather than getting lost in immediate, day-to-day problems. Furthermore, as a woman leading in a shifting industry, Tornel believes women bring a distinct sensitivity to contemporary architecture, particularly in how spaces are inhabited, felt, and integrated into daily life.
Trusting Intuition and Designing for People
To emerging young architects and entrepreneurs, Alejandra Tornel offers concrete advice: trust your intuition and never be afraid to speak up. “That inner voice telling you something isn’t right, even when someone with more experience says otherwise, is valuable,” she notes. Ultimately, HEMAA’s philosophy centers on creating spaces that age with dignity and engage in meaningful dialogue with their surroundings. Whether designing a massive building or a small pavilion, the focus remains entirely on the human experience. In this creative process, listening to the client, the team, and the context proves to be far more important than drawing fast.
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Edición 89 | Visionarias del espacio
