An Interview with Architect Oliver

It was during early travels throughout Europe and the U.S. that Oliver De La Cueva first decided he wanted to become an architect. Having called Sayulita home for over a year now, but originally hailing from Cuernavaca, Mexico, Oliver, owner of Architect Oliver, has been an architect and builder for over 23 years.

What brought you to Sayulita?

Watching my six-year-old grow up in a small, warm community like Sayulita. It brings back memories of my childhood and the beach towns we´d go to for vacations. I believe those days marked my entire upbringing.

What are your areas of expertise?

Well, as I am also a builder, I have designed and built many different types of structures, but tend to specialize in houses and restaurants. Though, I’ve also done a fair amount of commercial buildings.

How is building in Sayulita different from back home?

It is very similar to what I was used to, and having found a great team to work with has made it very easy to adapt.

Are there any special challenges you find building here in Sayulita?

Definitely. Every project offers a different challenge. Learning to deal with builders, contractors, and local authorities were my first challenges, and fortunately, also the first to be figured out.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Well, I definitely have my style. I love Mediterranean and Morocco architecture ,but a lot depends on the space, including the surroundings, climate, topography, and the local natural materials. It’s also important to advise the client, if they are not aware, how these factors, such as the sun, wind and other natural factors, will affect the design and construction of their project.

So, what’s your process? How do you approach working with a client?

My goal is to interpret the client’s vision. My job is to show the client how to get the most and best out of their property. The style is also important, but that’s aesthetics and can be changed and adopted to suit the client’s needs. However, the client may not know how to best adopt their wants to the natural landscape conditions, e.g. the orientation of the sun in regards to the home, ecological concerns, etc. It’s about balancing the needs of the clients with the surroundings.

Why should someone hire you? What’s something super unique that you bring to the table?

I like to think that I have succeeded many times at finding that balance between working with the elements available, legal building aspects of the construction, like dealing with regulations and local authorities, and the needs required by my clients. After 20 plus years as an architect, I have been able to develop the skill to determine and balance all these important aspects of the property, the project, the client’s wants and needs, and the environment. In essence, I want to meet not just the needs of what my client says, but to use my experience to address and solve the needs they don’t even know they have.

What is your style?

Each design and building should be respectful of its’ surroundings. Even if it’s in the middle of nowhere, it should blend with the natural environment of which it is a part. I’m not interested in building a tropical home in the middle of a colonial neighborhood for example. I like to blend in with the things I believe are worth blending in with.

Do you use any different types of materials in Sayulita versus other areas of Mexico?

Yes. The use of wood, straw, concrete, and other materials is different from what we use to build in towns and cities inland.

Who is your ideal client?  A good match?

I think the best client for me is the most open, not to my ideas, but to understanding their project and their needs, and the solution to them. The most important thing is for my client to be happy with the outcome.

What is your strength as a builder?

I have a lot of experience building, so I know what things cost, and am able to offer a very honest and realistic bid. In addition, I have access to a comprehensive crew of quality local craftsmen. I have a great crew of people I work with, and I know I can rely on their work. I know how to do things quickly, but keep quality in mind. I enjoy both designing and building, and I’ve built most of my designs, so they go hand in hand, but the building is the materialization of the design so it’s very fulfilling. Things don’t need to be sophisticated, complicated, or expensive. Simple solutions are often the best. Everything should be there for a purpose. My work is to guide each client to materialize their ideas in the best possible way, so they don’t only respond to their own egos, and therefore don’t build something that will be wasteful or used in a manner in which it was not intended, if at all. I believe there is a lot of potential in a fast growing town like Sayulita.