Meet Alvaro Alvarez

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alvaro Alvarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alvaro, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I am certain that local actions can lead to global results, which is why an important part of my work as an artist begins with my community: San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, with the border town of San Ysidro at its core. My project “Imperfect Boundaries” – shown at PHES Gallery in 2022 and SAN Int’l. Airport in 2023 – explores the edges between these two cities and relates them to the boundaries within the self. More recently, my project “46 Renacimientos” – shown at Plaza del Mar in 2023 and BLK Box Gallery in 2024 – tells a more specific story of my community. In this project, I create sculptures to better understand and explain the COCOTREN phenomenon along our Pacific coastline.

“46 Renacimientos” addresses a long-standing taboo: the abandoned architecture along the beaches of the Coastal Corridor (Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada) in Baja California. These constructions were left unfinished for over 15 years after the 2008 financial crash halted their development. As these structures are now being redeveloped, I’ve created 46 sculptures—one for each of the buildings in the COCOTREN—and exhibited them as “altars” during a Day of the Dead ceremony on November 2nd in order to welcome back their architectural spirit. The first exhibition was held in 2023 at one of these previously-abandoned sites, and this year, the show traveled to San Ysidro, CA, as part of an Endorsed Community Initiative by the World Design Capital organization.

Through “46 Renacimientos,” I use art as a medium to help our community come to terms with a difficult chapter in our history: the financial losses and the trauma of abandonment. By turning a collective experience of “deviance normalization” into a process of acceptance, I aim to foster resilience. Ultimately, I hope these local actions can resonate on a larger scale, sharing our story with other communities that have faced similar challenges. This work demonstrates that we can move beyond architectural abandonment and reclaim our narrative through art and storytelling.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m happy to share more about my career, particularly my experience transitioning from architecture to art. While architecture and art may seem different, they actually have a lot in common, and it was through art that I ultimately found my way to architecture. As a child, I was inspired by the geometric hotels I saw in Tijuana and San Diego. I began drawing my own buildings—hotels, roads, and other structures—using a mix of elevation and plan views (though at the time, I didn’t know those architectural terms). So, when it came time to choose a college, pursuing architecture felt like a natural and exciting decision, especially given my specific interests.

My path was clear: I wanted to be an architect and design hotels. This focus made many life choices simple—first, find a great architecture school, then land a position at a renowned hospitality design firm following graduation. At the Rockwell Group after college, I fulfilled my dream by contributing to the Riviera Maya Edition hotel project in Mexico (2016–2019) as Project Manager while also working on the 15 Hudson Yards tower in New York (2014–2019) as Interior Project Architect. By the age of 26, I was managing my own team, which was a huge milestone in my career.

However, during those 10 years, I unfortunately over-worked myself to exhaustion and decided to return to San Diego to be with my family and to focus on healing. It was during this time that I rediscovered what I truly loved about architecture. While I had enjoyed architectural theory and studio work in college, as well as coordinating diagrams and construction drawings, I realized that what I was most passionate about was creating architecture with my own hands—using graphite, charcoal, ink, and paper. This realization led me to pivot away from traditional architecture and embrace my new path as an artist.

Not wanting to keep one foot in two different worlds, I made the decision to formally leave conventional architecture behind and fully dedicate myself to my new career as an artist. This decision came just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. During the quarantine, I enrolled in a World Art History Certificate program through the Smithsonian Associates and took additional courses at the University of California, San Diego, and Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista. I formally launched my new practice as “Architectural Artist Alvaro Alvarez” in San Ysidro, CA, and began focusing on what brought me the most joy—creating art.

I’ve now been an “official” artist for over five years, and I can honestly say I love it. The biggest lesson I’ve learned through this journey is that the path to success is uniquely personal. It’s important to recognize that everyone’s journey is different. For most of us, the path is not linear. It may seem like there’s a clear beginning and end, but in reality, the journey is often filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and challenges. That said, it’s a journey that can be much easier when you have loved ones supporting you. It’s crucial to remember that asking for help is okay, and there’s no shame in seeking guidance along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question, and I love San Diego even more! Being born and raised here is such a blessing, and it’s a privilege to call this city home. I truly enjoy hosting visits, and the first place I would take friends or family is Balboa Park. It’s massive, beautiful, and features a mix of architectural styles, including its iconic Mediterranean Revival design. After that, we’d head to one of California’s most stunning beaches—Coronado Island, just across from downtown San Diego. We could take the ferry or drive over the bridge, stopping at the historic Hotel del Coronado for a refreshing drink and a stroll on the beach while we catch the sunset.

As we work our way south, we’d explore San Ysidro and visit the Front Arte Cultura art center by Casa Familiar. This cultural gem tells authentic stories in innovative ways, all within a building designed by famed architect Irving Gill’s nephew, Louis J. Gill, in 1929. No trip to San Diego would be complete without a quick jaunt to Tijuana, Mexico, so I’d make sure to bring our passports. We’d visit the border wall and indulge in some life-changing tacos, plus the original Caesar Salad, which was invented here in Tijuana!

To wrap up the trip, I’d invite my guest to wander the San Diego International Airport before their departing flight. The airport’s Arts Program is one of the most creative and robust in the country, showcasing both local and international artists in a unique space. As you can see, our trip would be all about art, architecture, and of course, amazing food. I’d love for you to visit and experience it all!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Beyond any of my own skills, I owe much of my success to the support, generosity, and wisdom of many individuals who, without hesitation, have helped me through critical advice, opportunities, and guidance.

Since adolescence, my art teacher, Patricia Chavez, in Hemet, CA, instilled in me the importance of excellence through skill and consistency (2006-2010). During my academic years studying architecture at Cornell, my Hotel School professor Brad Wellstead (who was also an architect) fueled my creativity and design thinking by encouraging me to balance imaginative and pragmatic projects (2010-2015).

As a recent graduate in New York City, architect Greg Keffer at the Rockwell Group gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as the Interior Architect for the 15 Hudson Yards Tower and as the Project Manager for the Riviera Maya Edition. His trust in my potential allowed my eagerness to thrive, fostering both my professional growth and my eagerness for curiosity and collaboration (2014-2019).

Since returning to San Diego, legacy artist Pia Stern has kindly welcomed me into the artistic community and helped me understand myself as an artist through mentorship and special encouragement (2020-Present). I am endlessly grateful to all of these inspiring individuals—and many more—who have shared in my excitement and vision.

However, throughout these phases of my life, there is one person who has been with me the entire time: my mother, Liliana Bustamante. I will never stop thanking her, just as she has never stopped loving my brother Manuel and me. She has supported us in every endeavor and helped me navigate so many challenges. From the moment I was born until this very morning, my mother has been my biggest source of encouragement, teaching me to embrace the joys of life and prioritize health. Gracias por todo, mamá. Te quiero mucho.

Website: https://www.alvaroaalvarez.com/

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Image Credits
Natali Bram