Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Flores.
Alexis, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I remember getting my first Lego set at the age of eight. It was magical. I asked my mom what job I could do so that I could design and build like Legos when I grow up. She said Architect or Engineer. I liked the way Architect sounded better, ha! So the path was set and everything fell into place. It was like a checklist. Drafting in High School…check. Undergrad and Grad in Architecture….check, check. Working in Arizona, California, and Texas….checkity check check. I had exposure to conceptual thinking, lasting friendships, and awesome memories.
Then I decided to come back to Texas during the 2008 recession…that was eye-opening. Everyone was looking for a job, and I was lucky to have a friend’s recommendation for an amazing firm. And then after a few years and a few kids, I decided to leave and join my husband in our own firm. It was something I had to do because at a certain point, the path I was supposed to go on wasn’t the path I wanted to be on anymore. The checklist was too exact and my future was too known. I needed to go back to the reason why I became an Architect in the first place… I loved design, problem-solving, research, and critical thinking. I loved Legos. And being on my own lets me love them again and let’s the future be so open. And it gives me the flexibility I need to love my family the way I want to.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think the answer is yes and no. Yes because the road I was on made sense. I was in a leadership position in a well-established firm, working on amazing projects. It is what a lot of people in my industry pursue, and it gave me a lot of opportunities. So making the decision to veer off, to quit, was where the struggle got real. Leaving everything and everyone behind that I had known for the last seven years was terrifying. I mean, I thought I was going to stay there forever! But my husband was a huge factor in helping me feel safe in this decision and helping me realize I was capable of doing it. And once I did, I felt free.
I will say it is a constant struggle now to prove to myself that everything I do is worthy of this decision. Being on my own, I don’t have the reassurance that I used to have when I worked under someone else. Honestly, my confidence comes and goes. Now, all I have is my husband and our two girls and the work that we do as a firm (I mean, not too shabby). But I guess that is why Architecture means so much more to me now because it belongs to us and our clients, truly.
Please tell us about JRAF Studio.
I think there is a lot of confusion about what we actually do as an industry. Some people believe we just draw or sketch ideas. Others think we get a client a permit and walk away. For some, that’s true. At JRAF Studio, we are Design Architects. What the heck does that mean? It means that a client can come to us with a Design Problem (a house renovation, an art studio, a restaurant, an office space) and we provide a Design Solution… with thoughtfulness. We do not piecemeal ideas together and hope they work out. We work very hard to develop an overall concept, the BIG IDEA, for every project, considering things like client needs, context, budget, and beauty. And we prefer to stay on throughout the whole process to see it come to fruition (construction) and to ensure the clients get what they envisioned in their head and heart.
I wouldn’t say we specialize in one thing, and that to me is something we are most proud of. We believe Architecture has the wonderful potential to positively impact someone’s life. It’s that wow feeling when you walk into a building or a space. It makes you want to stay. Every project is relevant and impactful, and we love the challenge of designing for it all. What sets us apart is the fact that we are not afraid of honesty. If something isn’t going to work or if there are concerns, we are going to inform the client and work with them through it. Collaboration makes our projects successful, and so does transparency.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
There is a shift that started decades ago toward more Sustainable Design, which is great. And it will continue to evolve as the general public becomes more aware of our (human and building) impact on the environment. A lot of people don’t realize buildings are responsible for 40% of the world’s energy use (electrical, material, construction, etc.) That’s huge! I believe that more Architects will strive to keep design integrity intact while proposing efficient, contextual, and sustainable solutions. Ultimately, more architects will become more thoughtful. And I don’t mean just new stuff either. I love the idea of rethinking all the existing buildings there are available for use that could use a little love to display their full potential. Afterall, the most sustainable building is one that can be reused (not my quote, ha!).
With the help of technology like 3D printing, 3D software, and various measuring tools, I believe more Architects will rethink the antiquated ways of construction that take place today, and investigate new solutions. Modular Construction (not to be confused with manufactured housing) is one approach that comes to mind. And with the help of material science, there will continue to be more options available for putting a building together, and hopefully more affordable for the public. Not only will architecture shift, but construction, engineering, city ordinances, etc., which is really exciting to think about.
Contact Info:
- Address: JRAF Studio
3835 San Jacinto St. #1
Dallas, TX 75204 - Website: www.jraf-studio.com
- Phone: 214-725-8832
- Email: alexis@jraf-studio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jraf.studio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrafstudio/
Image Credit:
Michael Mayo (Portrait of us)
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