Bio:
The great designer, Gustavo Rodriguez is passionate about architecture’s ability to improve the quality of the environment—internal and external, natural and manmade. Partner at FXCollaborative and a registered architect in New York and the Dominican Republic, Gustavo has led design on many of the firm’s most notable commercial and residential projects. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez and a Master of Science in Design Technology from MIT.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
As a kid I loved building with Legos. I asked my dad who made buildings but his reply “engineers” was not at the heart of my question so I asked: Who says how buildings are going to be? When he replied “architect,” I knew that’s what I wanted to be.

What do you do?
I am a Partner and Design Director at FXCollaborative, leading design teams in a wide range of commercial and residential projects. At times I feel like an orchestra conductor, making sure we are all working together to achieve our design vision.

What excites you in the work you do?
The ability to create something that improves our cities. Design is a force that enables us to reshape our relationship to our environment and create an emotional impact—you don’t just see a building, you experience it. It has to have an effect.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
I am inspired by all who came before and placed a stone in the ladder of knowledge on which we stand. By those who look for the next stone, those with the courage to dismantle, all who get great design built, and by nature—the ultimate designer.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
My proudest achievement is standing at the base of a building and seeing how my ideas have been transformed into built form; how the collaboration of many has improved the design and built it; how we come together to design and build a better world.

Featured Project Name: 
The Forge
 
Featured Project Location: 
Long Island City, NY
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
August 2017

Role in Featured Project: 
Project Designer
 
Featured Project Description:
The Forge is a luxury rental apartment building in Long Island City. Rooted in the neighborhood’s artistic culture and industrial heritage, the design is a strong contemporary composition distinguished by warm, cooper-colored frames and bands of glass. The interior continues the theme with an interplay between cool steel, warm wood, glassy finishes, and leather details. The 33-story building celebrates its industrial context while accommodating 272 residences and high-end, urban amenities.

Photography Credit:
Eduard Hueber; Adam Macchia