In this edition of Design Dialogues, we are pleased to feature Ethelett, a practice distinguished for its evidence-based and sensory-driven approach to architecture. Known for seamlessly integrating technical precision with intuitive design, Ethelett creates spaces that are not only functional but also evoke profound emotional and sensory experiences. Their work, rooted in sustainable principles and material simplicity, consistently reflects a deep understanding of context, human comfort, and environmental care.

Through notable projects such as Casa de las Formas, Casa Blanco Madera, and Urbane Mexico Restaurant, Ethelett showcases a design philosophy that prioritizes balance—between old and new, simplicity and warmth, privacy and connection. Their concept of sustainable austerity challenges conventional definitions of luxury, proving that simplicity, natural materials, and thoughtful design can create remarkable and meaningful architecture.

In this conversation, we delve into Ethelett’s design approach, exploring how they navigate the intersection of data-driven methodologies and intuitive creativity, their vision for sustainable and context-sensitive architecture, and the lessons they’ve gathered along their journey. This interview offers valuable insights for designers, architects, and creatives seeking to craft spaces that are as meaningful as they are functional.

Ethelett strongly emphasizes architecture that is both evidence-based and sensory-driven. How do you balance the technical, data-driven aspects of design with the more intuitive, emotional experiences that define great architecture?

Edgar E. Benítez: One might ask to what extent artistic creation is primarily intuitive due to the lack of verifiable data on the factors that elicit an emotional response. Take, for example, research on biophilia, which has sought to understand the psychological effects of vegetation within built environments.

However, even with the presence of such data, it seems that architecture can never be entirely detached from intuition.

At Ethelett, our approach prioritizes intuitive design, followed by a data-driven verification process. Interestingly, frequent exposure to verified data enhances the designer’s ability to intuitively create architecture that naturally aligns with later validation.

Balancing independence and connection for two generations under one roof is a central theme of this project. What were the biggest challenges in ensuring privacy while fostering interaction, and how did the design of shared courtyards and visual connections help achieve this balance?

Edgar E. Benítez: Casa de las Formas was designed for a family with a wonderful relationship, but they needed more space and a higher quality of living environment. This led them to build an additional home on the same property.

One of the advantages of urban planning restrictions is that they promote quality interior spaces by requiring minimum open areas. In this case, these regulations dictated a significant percentage of open space, which we transformed into shared courtyards.

The challenge was to turn these courtyards into inviting spaces—places that could serve as focal points while carefully managing sightlines to ensure privacy in the more intimate areas of the home. Given the strong family bond, visual connections to semi-public spaces were not an issue, but maintaining privacy in more personal areas required a thoughtful design approach.

The house integrates a mix of old and new, preserving the essence of the existing structure while introducing a contemporary language. How did you approach material selection to create a seamless transition between these two architectural identities?

Edgar E. Benítez: The original house did not have a distinctive architectural language worth preserving. The elements that were retained were driven by two key motivations: first, the desire to conserve existing structures to save both client resources and environmental impact; and second, the intention to maintain visual clarity by exposing original structural elements without additional finishes.

The irregularity of the existing structure made it necessary to highlight the contrast between old and new. To achieve this, all newly built elements were clad in the same material, creating a cohesive identity. We believe that limiting the base palette of materials and colors is essential for ensuring visual coherence and seamlessly integrating the new architecture with the existing one.

Ethelett champions the idea of “sustainable austerity”—creating healthy environments with minimal resources. Can you share a project where this philosophy was particularly challenging to implement, and what solutions helped achieve the desired balance?

Edgar E. Benítez: We have been fortunate to work with clients who, from their own unique perspectives, share this philosophy. This alignment has made implementing “sustainable austerity” a natural process rather than a particular challenge.

A great example is Casa Blanco Madera. The material selection for this project was driven by efficiency and sensory quality rather than luxury. For instance, materials were chosen for their insulating properties or their tactile and visual appeal—qualities that evoke a connection to nature, as seen in the use of wood.

At no point was the goal to incorporate high-end finishes merely for their association with luxury. Instead, we define luxury differently: in the sensory experience, in the touch of natural materials, in thermal and lighting comfort, in the interaction with nature, and in the overall visual coherence of the design.

The design of Urbane Mexico Restaurant revolves around a journey of discovery, with a sequence of spatial transitions guiding visitors. How did you approach creating this sense of movement and experience while ensuring functionality and efficiency in the layout?

Edgar E. Benítez: One of the most significant contributions of modern architecture was the dissolution of the traditional room—the idea of a space enclosed by four walls serving purely as a divider from another space or the exterior. Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe mastered the art of merging rooms by replacing physical barriers with subtler spatial definitions, such as a change in material or the placement of a rug. This approach is very present in Urbane Mexico Restaurant.

At the same time, we drew from lessons by Luis Barragán, who emphasized the importance of transitions between spaces. Even when spaces blend seamlessly, these transitions are designed to create meaningful and memorable experiences.

From a functional standpoint—understood as ensuring that each space effectively serves its intended purpose—this was not a particularly challenging aspect of the project. The design naturally balanced movement, atmosphere, and efficiency.

The layered façade design not only adds visual depth but also serves practical functions such as privacy and street engagement. What inspired this approach, and how do you see façade design evolving in urban restaurant architecture?

Edgar E. Benítez: The street where the restaurant is located does not offer any particularly attractive features—it is primarily designed for cars, and unfortunately, streets like these, which dominate our cities, are rarely engaging. Our initial instinct was to turn inward, directing the layout toward the interior or placing most dining areas on the upper floor, away from the street.

However, the client requested that the dining area remain visually prominent from the exterior for commercial reasons. This requirement led to the idea of shielding the interior not just with glass but also with a perforated metal screen. This solution not only provided privacy and controlled the relationship between the interior and the street but also allowed us to maintain a sense of solidity on the ground level—an essential aspect of the façade’s design.

As urban restaurant architecture evolves, I believe façades will continue to balance openness and enclosure, leveraging materials and layered elements to create depth, privacy, and dynamic visual engagement.

Architecture is often seen as a visual art, but your firm believes it must address all essential factors—health, safety, economic performance, and environmental care. How do you ensure that each of these aspects is given equal importance in your design process?

Edgar E. Benítez: From the beginning, I wanted to ensure that Ethelett would not become a firm that prioritizes a single aspect of design at the expense of others. Many firms focus primarily on maximizing profitability, designing residential or commercial buildings that sell quickly and generate the highest returns for investors. Others center their efforts on creating striking forms, often relying on the latest design software to achieve visually compelling results.

Prioritization often translates into dedicating the majority of work time to a single objective. At Ethelett, we take a different approach. Rather than favoring one aspect over another, we put all essential factors—health, safety, economic viability, environmental responsibility, and aesthetic quality—on the table from the very beginning. Our goal is to allocate the necessary time and effort to each, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive design process.

Blanco Madera House redefines luxury through simplicity, focusing on natural materials and light. How did you ensure that this minimalist approach remained warm and inviting rather than austere or cold?

Edgar E. Benítez: Earlier, I mentioned research on biophilia, which highlights the positive emotional responses that nature evokes in most humans—something we instinctively understand. However, architecture, in its self-referential pursuit, has at times chosen to disregard these natural inclinations in favor of ideological design approaches. This mindset gave rise to movements such as Brutalism and the International Style, which often prioritized abstract formal expression over human sensory experience.

At Ethelett, we aim to understand and embrace these natural inclinations rather than override them. We have found that warmth and comfort emerge through the use of natural materials, rich textures, soft surfaces, and natural elements such as light and water. This stands in contrast to design approaches that favor industrial materials like steel and exposed concrete, which—while expressive in their own right—can sometimes result in spaces that feel cold or unwelcoming. In Blanco Madera House, simplicity is not about reduction for its own sake; it is about creating a sensory environment where the essential elements of nature shape an experience that is deeply human.

Sustainability is a key pillar of this project, with features like Celucrete blocks, double-glazed windows, and photovoltaic panels. What were some of the biggest challenges in balancing energy efficiency, aesthetic refinement, and construction practicality?

Edgar E. Benítez: The biggest challenge was, without a doubt, the local construction culture. Central Mexico benefits from a particularly mild climate, which has historically led to a disregard for thermal comfort strategies—making it difficult to reintroduce these considerations into mainstream construction practices.

Materials and systems that serve purposes beyond structural integrity are often met with skepticism, requiring significant effort in both persuasion and education. Convincing stakeholders of the value of energy-efficient solutions and ensuring that construction teams understand how to properly assemble these systems was a critical part of the process. Balancing energy efficiency, aesthetic refinement, and construction practicality was not just a technical challenge—it was also about shifting mindsets and demonstrating that sustainable choices can enhance both comfort and design quality without compromising feasibility.

Looking at your journey as an architecture firm—balancing sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality—what is the one philosophy or lesson that has remained constant in your practice, regardless of changing trends and technologies?

Edgar E. Benítez: As a firm, we are still young, so we have not yet experienced a major shift in architectural trends firsthand—though we are already witnessing the rise of artificial intelligence with all its potential benefits and challenges.

On a personal level, with a longer trajectory, I have had to relearn architecture multiple times. One of the most important lessons has been recognizing the value of sustainability, technical quality, and the presence of nature as equally significant to formal aesthetics.

The key is to never stop learning, both as individuals and as a firm. We must always remain flexible—willing to evolve beyond what we once were, in response to the new knowledge humanity continues to acquire.