Welcome to Media Matters, the exclusive interview series by Fublis, where we dive into the insights and experiences of media professionals, from journalists and editors to writers and content creators. This platform brings you behind the scenes of the media world, offering a closer look at how these experts shape the narratives that influence our industries.
In today’s edition, we sit down with Enrique Tovar, a distinguished architect, content editor, and LEED Green Associate. Enrique has made a significant mark not only in the architectural field but also in content creation, bridging the gap between design and media. Through his unique approach, he brings together various disciplines, redefining how architecture is communicated and understood. In this interview, Enrique shares his journey, his perspectives on inclusive design, and the evolving role of content in shaping the future of architecture.
Join us as we explore his thoughts on the intersections of design, writing, and the media landscape.
Can you start by telling us how these disciplines sculpted you as a professional? What inspired you to pursue these fields, and how your approach to design has evolved over time?
Enrique Tovar: My journey has involved a significant amount of unlearning and acquiring new skills. Curiosity has been the driving force behind my exploration of various fields and my professional development. Throughout this process, I’ve found that the most valuable aspect has been my ability to connect the insights gained from different disciplines, allowing me to understand them as a cohesive whole. This integrated approach has made my work more mindful and responsive to enhancements, whether through adopting new processes, incorporating emerging technologies, or blending perspectives that might initially seem unrelated.
Can you elaborate on what inclusive design means to you ans how you integrate this into your writings and projects?
Enrique Tovar: Beyond formal definitions, the best way to describe it is as “broadening the perspective.” When designing or developing an idea through writing, it’s often tempting to approach it from a one-dimensional perspective. In projects, this challenge is clearer: any design must account for human diversity, as the traditional notion of a “typical user” no longer applies.
In writing, this challenge is more abstract but fundamentally the same. How can we introduce new concepts if our discourse remains largely unchanged? Inclusivity means addressing issues that go beyond traditional architecture and design concepts. This isn’t merely a matter of following an agenda; it’s about sincerely engaging with these issues and using them to generate new, innovative ideas.
How has your time as a LEED Green Associate impacted the way you approach design and create content?
Enrique Tovar: Similarly to accessibility, when addressing a specific topic or undertaking a project within a particular specialty, having strong academic support is crucial. While it’s not the only factor, it plays a significant role in validating your position, particularly in today’s climate where sustainability is a major focus and greenwashing is prevalent. For me, this certification provided the essential starting point and foundational basis for navigating a field that is both vast and continuously evolving.
In addition to your work as an architect you have made significant contributions as a content editor. How do you make the transition from architectural practice to content creation, and what motivated you to explore this side of architecture?
Enrique Tovar: Rather than viewing architecture merely as a volume with sides or faces, where content is just one component, I see all facets of the field as integrated into a cohesive whole, much like a circle or cycle where each discipline is interconnected. In the early stages of the design process, content plays a critical role, forming an essential part of the references we study as architects, often well before we start drawing lines on a schematic plan.
My interest in this field was specifically heightened by one of my first internationally published projects: the “Nomada Desk.” I was responsible for creating the press kit for this project and maintained communication with the publishers who approached me about its publication. I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations and the ideas that emerged from them. This experience led me to wonder: What would I write if I were in their position?
How do you see the roles of platforms like Rethinking the Future, ArchDaily, Dezeen, etc in encouraging new aspirants in shaping architectural discourse today?
Enrique Tovar: I believe that every platform has the potential to make a positive impact, with collaboration and inspiration being among the most important roles. As a former RTF writer, I had the chance to create content deeply connected to my values and ideals as an architect, while also engaging with the perspectives of other colleagues to craft what I would call a “collective narrative”.
Currently, my experience on the platform where I collaborate is quite similar. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals I once admired, who have now become valued partners. Many of these collaborators have been a significant source of inspiration, and together, we are creating impactful content.
Shifting focus to challenges and opportunities in design could share some hurdles you’ve faced. How have you navigated them in your projects?
Enrique Tovar: Today, I believe the main obstacle we face is overcoming the rigidity—sometimes self-imposed—in our approach to projects. Although we follow rules and guidelines, we often become overly constrained by them. While my perspective may evolve in a few years, I currently find that by adopting a more flexible mindset, the challenges inherent in a design or project can be addressed more smoothly. It sounds straightforward, but achieving this flexibility is not always an easy task.
Additionally what are your thoughts on the future of design, within the landscape of the content industry?
Enrique Tovar: My general feeling is that content will increasingly influence design. We are constantly exposed to various projects, narratives, solutions, and designs, so it’s natural for certain gestures and concepts to recur in different contexts. The key is to provide meticulously curated content to maintain a clear and consistent message about what you want to communicate. While this has always been important, in today’s highly communicative world, it has become a non-negotiable aspect. This is something that has influenced the principles I want to convey through my platform, Eetov. I aim to share content that I believe in and that, according to my understanding of architecture, will also be useful to others.
When navigating the realms of architecture and media what guidance would you offer to budding enthusiasts keen on delving into journalism?
Enrique Tovar: Write, write, write, and write some more! Then, challenge your own perspective, analyze the viewpoints of others, and write again. Stay curious and eager to learn.
One of the editors I spoke with about the Nomada Desk project advised me to develop my ideas and share them on a blog, social media, or, if possible, a platform. This advice was invaluable, helping me to build a solid foundation and fully immerse myself in this field.
What insights have you gained regarding the interplay, between architecture and the narratives conveyed through writing and visuals?
Enrique Tovar: The key is to achieve a delicate balance among architecture, its written narratives, and its visual representation. I have seen impressive projects and research that suffer from weak narratives or inadequate representation, and vice versa. It’s essential to give equal attention to each aspect—architecture, writing, and visuals—because when these elements are in harmony, they convey a truly powerful message.
Finally, What do you hope to achieve next in your career? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited to explore?
Enrique Tovar: I’m very excited about the future and see much of my practice focusing on accessibility and universal design. I am convinced that this is an underexplored area with great potential to transform how we understand architecture, both as a physical medium and in its theoretical aspects. The challenge I face is moving away from narratives that view accessibility as a purely technical discipline or as a means to address specific problems based on codes. I believe it is a much deeper topic that requires a more sensitive approach. We’ll see what the future holds in this regard.
