“Architecture is a process of translation.
Every context has its own information”
FOUNDER, FERNANDO ROMERO
Fernando Romero, Hon. FAIA is a Mexico City-based architect whose practice spans cultural institutions, infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and innovative urban development. His architectural vision was shaped during his early career at OMA under Rem Koolhaas, where he led the design of the acclaimed Casa da Música in Porto, Portugal—a project that The New York Times ranked among the most significant concert halls of the past century.
Romero’s breakthrough project in Mexico, the Museo Soumaya, hosts over two million visitors annually, making it Mexico City’s most-visited cultural institution and one of its most recognizable landmarks.
Notable commissions include the New International Airport for Mexico City developed in collaboration with Norman Foster, Terminal Beta at the New El Salvador Airport, Bitcoin City—an innovative urban development powered by geothermal energy, and a state-of-the-art hospital complex in Los Cabos that reimagines healthcare architecture for the region. These projects, along with private residences and public commissions throughout Latin America, reflect his commitment to architecture that responds to evolving social and technological needs.
His work has garnered international recognition, including the Bauhaus Award and the ‘Best of the Best’ Red Dot Award. The World Economic Forum named him a Global Leader of Tomorrow, and Fast Company recognized him among the 50 Most Influential Designers. He was also honored as an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Through Fundación Fernando Romero, he operates initiatives in Arts & Culture—which includes the preservation and reimagining of Luis Barragán’s La Cuadra San Cristóbal as a cultural platform opening to the public in fall 2025—and a Research Institute, with an inaugural project focused on the US-Mexico border challenge.
People
Headquartered in Mexico City with satellite offices in New York and Madrid, Fernando Romero’s 60-person studio brings together talent from across the globe, spanning from Australia to Shenzhen to Iowa. The team comprises world-class architects, urban researchers, curatorial experts, and storytellers. Collectively, this diverse group draws inspiration from Mexico’s rich local heritage while staying attuned to global advancements in architecture, design, and culture.
Leadership