Ask anyone who has ever visited Miami and you'll hear that the city has a certain energy and vibrancy that's reflected in the built environment there. When one thinks of this region, for example, it's likely that visions of Tropical Modernism and luxe design come to mind. It's at this delightful intersection that Barcelona-born Alexis Cogul Lleonart is able to apply his dual degree background in urban planning and architecture to help shape Miami's architectural landscape. 

After collaborating with various practices, including Miami's Oppenheim Architecture, Lleonart sought out to use his expertise and start Doo Architecture. According to Lleonart, "We believe in the process. We're engaged from inception to execution, and we believe our European roots taught us to develop a dialog with our clients and projects further than 'what is required.'"

For this week's Studio Snapshot, Archinect connected with Lleonart to discuss his intellectually curious practice and what it means to work prolifically while "not repeating the same formula every single time."

Where did you study architecture?

I am born and raised in Barcelona, and I completed a master’s degree in architecture from University of Barcelona ESARQ UIC and a master’s degree in Urbanism from UB in Barcelona, Spain.

How many people are in your practice?

Currently were seven full-time employees and three part-time.

What prompted you to start your own practice?

I’ve always been a curious person and I’m always thinking with an entrepreneurial mindset. Architecture has always been a true vocational profession for me. However, the business of architecture and how to generate and create synergies between industries and forms of art was the main driving force for me to develop my own practice and my own design language.

...the business of architecture and how to generate and create synergies between industries and forms of art was the main driving force for me to develop my own practice and my own design language.

Is scaling up a goal?

Absolutely. We're currently in a growth mode, but we're focusing our efforts towards growing smarter without losing our design and boutique focus. Design and R&D is our main goal right now in order to develop our projects as design opportunities.

What are the benefits of having your own practice? Staying small?

Our business and design culture is based on the process of creating. It's based on the concept of mixing different disciplines or forms of art into a result, which becomes a project. Every scenario, project and client shapes our ideas and influences the design result. We implement an inductive design process and we do not deduct the results. We experiment with any given tool in order to achieve a unique result. This approach is a really personal and developed a way of making architecture and I believe this is one of the greatest benefits on developing your own language or practice. I always say the same thing to my staff: We have to be proficient at the production of work, so we can take our time on the design process.

What have been the biggest hurdles of having your own practice?

The goal is to always earn the respect from clients and ensure them that you can deliver the work. I've come a long way and worked intensely to get into a position where people respect our portfolio and trust our organization for their projects or developments. Also, staffing the company with the right players and the right people that share our core values and firm culture is something that took some time to achieve.

Where do you see your firm in 5 years?

We're focusing primarily on the Miami market and also internationally. I hope the firm is recognized locally and internationally as one of the most forward-thinking architectural firms, as great architectural think-tank, and as a good reference inside the Miami market for their unique projects and achievements. Within that scenario, I do believe, the team should be no more than 30 people with two locations. I believe that's what's needed to have a sound firm that's efficient, fresh and unique. I do not see the company going corporate, but I see it being a big powerful boutique design atelier with presence in Miami and Barcelona.

I've been an architect for more than 15 years and many projects came to mind, but I will say that my favorite projects are the ones that allow me to discover and that discovery reflects into the result.

Do you have a favorite project? Completed or in progress.

You always have projects that grow on you over time. Maybe for their end result or maybe for the process involved. I've been an architect for more than 15 years and many projects came to mind, but I will say that my favorite projects are the ones that allow me to discover and when that discovery reflects into the result. Currently we're working in a single family home at Venetian Islands that strikes a lot of the elements and design principles that we always aim for. 

We design differently, we think about architecture from the perspective of its materiality, its typology, its light, and its purity. Miami architecture is always being approached by architects and developers from the perspective of maximizing program areas, code requirements, and [limiting] liabilities. We differ from that approach, we believe in the process. We're engaged from inception to execution and we believe our European roots taught us to develop a dialog with our clients and projects further than 'what is required.'” 

A project is an experience, is a path to be walked with the client and this is what we believe architecture is about. We design based on this learning and as we say: replace fear of the unknown with curiosity. 

We try to create a seamless integration between architecture, interiors and landscape. We believe a good project comprehends all those components as one and that is why when we design a project, we design the interiors as well.

We try to create a seamless integration between architecture, interiors, and landscape. We believe a good project comprehends all those components as one and that is why when we design a project, we design the interiors as well. We do not understand architecture without them and the other way around. Those two projects are a good example of how we try to create that seamless connection between interior and exterior. To enhance living as an open feeling and even, when we designed the 301 apartments, we took great care to create the openness in the layout to enhance that outdoor feeling that residents are looking for. 

Can you talk about U Residence and the process of remodeling one of Rufus Nims 1949 classics?

This is a really special project for us. My cultural background from Barcelona, taught me architecture with a huge historical background suited for any project we might work on. When I moved to Miami, that historical component disappeared. There are few historical values to tie in, but then I started to discover this magnificent era of the Florida Modernism from the 50’s, I felt in love with it. A great experimental era where American architects designed amazing summer homes using an unrestricted Florida Building Code. 

Today’s laws and requirements will not allow us to replicate this magnificent Rufus Nims experimental modern classic; 4-inch cantilever concrete slabs and single-hung aluminum windows are simply not allowed anymore. Once we understood the jewel that had landed in our hands, we started to surgically intervene in it to accommodate today’s needs but without losing its original identity. We repurposed some spaces and we added additional square footage away from the main structure in order to retain its original appearance from the street.

The original architecture remains, including his original finishes and original mullioned windows, and the new architecture is articulated 45 degrees away from the upper volume and clad with a different material to respect and enhance Rufus Nims' geometry. The project is currently in permitting and construction is aimed to start in the upcoming months. We're excited to see this project developed, not just for the design itself but for the background story that compose the project. 

The architect that I wish to be is the one that affects living experiences through design and creates new forms of social interaction, urbanism and economics [...] this is this what drives me as an architect: not repeating the same formula every single time. 

What does it mean to be an architect today?

It's relative. What does it mean to be an architect for the people, for clients, for society? The architect that I wish to be is the one that affects living experiences through design and creates new forms of social interaction, urbanism, and economics. The way we live changes daily and the way we're programmed to need things changes as well. That is why we constantly need to adapt, learn and change. This is the beauty of the profession....things are never the same. The more estranged the task, the greater the learning curve, the better the result will be. At least, this is this what drives me as an architect: not repeating the same formula every single time. 

If you could describe your work/practice in three words what would they be?

Design with curiosity.