Jean-Pierre Trou

I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. My design ideology has been shaped through exposure to the modern architecture of the City and by the legacy of sustainable architecture practiced by the Incas. This is an architecture characterized by its responsiveness, adaptability and tectonics. These concepts of adaptation and performance have always captured my interest. I studied architecture at La Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima when I obtained my bachelor's degree. Then I moved to the United States and went to the University of Texas at Austin to continue my Architectural education. During the pursuit of my Master of Architecture in Design and Theory, I focused my research on “Complex Adaptive Systems”; an architecture capable of adaptation, self-regulation, and conservation as an alternative approach to sustainable design. I learned music before I discovered architecture. I started to write songs when I was a child and that creative process translated pretty well with architecture and design. I see similarities in the use of concept, language and rhythm. I’ve always loved to create things, so when I discovered architectured it was like love at first sight. I’ve always been intrigued by the phenomenological aspect of space and the impact of a well design space in people’s lives. That is what motivates me, the idea of improving people’s lives with design.

Runa Workshop was created out of a common desire to live and work creatively. My business partner and I wanted to create a studio that inspires design collaboration, encourages practice and fosters creativity. We didn’t want to name our architecture firm after our names, we wanted something that represented the way we approach design, and at the same time, us. "Runa" in Quechua, the native language of the Incas, means "people". A workshop is a place for creativity, where ideas and solutions rise, and where a craft is developed. Together, Runa Workshop means, "people exchanging ideas".

Design for me is a feeling. It is also a mix of science and art. It is a materialized concept that has the perfect balance between function and beauty.

I design commercial spaces, but my background is in residential design. I enjoy both of them, but I chose to do commercial since it has bigger impact on the community and provides an opportunity to improve the built environment and to shape the city. I wish to design more large commercial projects and public spaces.

Caffé Medici, ViaSat, 801 Barton Springs. The level of impact they have on people’s lives. I designed the coffee shop when I was having my first son and I could imagine what it would be like for a family to experience the space. Seeing my son (and others) “wowed” by the shapes in the space is very rewarding.

A two story shopping mall at a beach resort in Piura, Peru for a national competition with Javier Artadi.

Material: Concrete. Platform: Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology: 3D printing

A sincere desire for collaboration is often at the source of great design and project success. Usually the best designs are those that appear to be so simple and effortless, yet are very complex and achieve a high level of detail.

We have a huge responsibility to create well designed spaces since they have an intangible impact on people’s lives. The profession is one of the biggest contributors to carbon monoxide production in the world, so sustainable practices are imperative on every project. we have to have positive contributions to the built environment.

Last year I was selected to participate in the national exhibition, Perspectivas. One of our projects, ViaSat was featured. The goal of the exhibition is to promote and celebrate the work of Latinos in Architecture. It was featured at the Texas Society of Architects Convention at the Austin Convention Center in the United States.

It just happens, like a strike of lightning. I always clear my mind and let the ideas flow. My design process starts by analogue - writing or sketching- it’s fluid. Then, it clicks.

I don’t know that I have a style. Every project is its own story and all our projects are concept based. So, it is the concept that dictates the design aesthetics, not the other way around.

Yes, of course. I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. My design ideology has been shaped through exposure to the modern architecture of the City and by the legacy of sustainable architecture practiced by the Incas. This is an architecture characterized by its responsiveness, adaptability and tectonics. These concepts of adaptation and performance have always captured my interest. I studied architecture at La Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima when I obtained my bachelor's degree. Then I moved to the United States and went to the University of Texas at Austin to continue my Architectural education. During the pursuit of my Master of Architecture in Design and Theory, I focused my research on “Complex Adaptive Systems”; an architecture capable of adaptation, self-regulation, and conservation as an alternative approach to sustainable design.

We have an owner-centric approach and a spirit of collaboration in all we do that helps us work well with any company.

Consider what your relationship will be and what your involvement with everyone on the team looks like. As a smaller firm, we pride ourselves on exposing our clients to the highest level talent in every stage of the process.

I start by listening to the client’s needs, understanding their business, understanding the restrictions of the site and research. I need to know everything about the project. Once I gather all of this then it begins to come together. It is an exercise of questioning, it is the design concept that helps me make conscious decisions.

Eames rocking chair in my son’s room, our mid-century modern walnut dining table, mid-century teak credenza, coffee table made by my wife’s grandfather, and my guitar.

Quality time in the morning with my kids and wife, drop kids at school, go to work, coordinate with the design team, give myself enough time to work on the design of projects, mentoring and running the business with my business partner. Then back home to spend more quality time with my family.

I would recommend young designers to always question everything, there is always a better way. Be humble and learn as much as they can from their peers. Always listen; to the clients, to the workers, consultants, even the mason, they all have something valuable that will enrich their knowledge and make their design and craft better.

We see the world with a different lense. We get to appreciate the beauty in nature, and how it is designed. We see the city and we see opportunities. We can tell the story behind every space, but at the same time… We are always critical.

Sketching (Lots of hand sketching to convey my ideas), 3D modeling for form exploration.

I manage my time by setting up goals and I always allow myself a time away from the design so when I come back to it, I come back with a clear mind. I think that gap is important. It is important to put the pencil down and come back to it later, and know when to do that.

It is relative to the size and complexity of the task or project. A good estimation is always 3 times longer than you think it will take.

How much is that? There is always a concern for cost in every project. As designers we always need to be mindful of our client’s needs and capabilities. It is our responsibility to provide them with great design that meets their budget.

I think working at a large firm exposed me to a different scale of projects and a lot of resources that I benefited from in the early stages of my career.

Commercial developers, local businesses, national tech businesses and start-ups.

Growing the company and opening offices in other thriving markets.

Always a team. We strive to bring a collaborative spirit to all that we do.

We have an unbuilt project that won a competition, in response to the Urban Heat Island Effect. On a vacant site in the heart of downtown Chicago, we set out to provide a solution to a recurring problem, Urban Heat Island Effect. The all-inclusive program required a green roof, farm, mixed residential, commercial and service areas. Our approach to the program informed our design, utilizing the building as a holisticthermal machine. The structure, clad in glass with a veil of thermobimetal, employs the building’s thermal properties to function as a battery. Like human skin, thermobimetal captures and stores heat before re-distributing it for future energy needs. The coloration of the screen is determined by the amount of active sun hitting the surface. At the peak of heat collection and harvesting, the screen goes flat like shades being drawn. As the weather becomes cooler, the metal enters usage mode, lifting in various locations, creating natural movement and pattern. A migration of green tiered terraces at each level provide an alternative to the typical “green roof”, helping to reduce urban air temperatures. As a fully-functioning farm, the crops service the tenants, restaurants, and marketplace, as well as yield hops for an on-site brewery. Harvest provides a sanctuary for the community while pioneering technologies benefiting the city’s future. It would be incredible to see a project like this developed.

Our collaborative approach begins by listening to our client and their vision, then continues with the team throughout the project. Our owner-centric approach; paired with our design sense, passion for innovation, technical mastery, and spirit of collaboration is what equips us to provide our clients lasting, innovative designs.

I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. My design ideology has been shaped through exposure to the modern architecture of the City and by the legacy of sustainable architecture practiced by the Incas. This is an architecture characterized by its responsiveness, adaptability and tectonics. These concepts of adaptation and performance have always captured my interest. I studied architecture at La Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima where I obtained my bachelor's degree. Then I moved to the United States and went to the University of Texas at Austin to continue my Architectural education. During the pursuit of my Master of Architecture in Design and Theory, I focused my research on “Complex Adaptive Systems”; an architecture capable of adaptation, self-regulation, and conservation as an alternative approach to sustainable design.

I learned music before I discovered architecture. I started to write songs when I was a child and that creative process translated pretty well with architecture and design. I see similarities in the use of concept, language and rhythm. I’ve always loved to create things, so when I discovered architecture it was like love at first sight. I’ve always been intrigue by the phenomenological aspect of space and the impact of a well designed space in people's lives. That is what motivates me, the idea of improving people's lives with design.

My mom says I was born a designer. I would choose my own clothes to wear since I was 2 years old, organize my own room and paint my room, always expressing myself. First with art, then with music and finally architecture.

I design commercial spaces, but my background is in residential design. I enjoy both of them, but I chose to do commercial since it has bigger impact in the community and provides an opportunity to improve the built environment and to shape the city. I wish to design more large commercial projects and public spaces.

I don’t consider myself a design legend, but I would recommend young designers to always question everything, there is always a better way. I would also encourage them to be humble and learn as much as they can from their peers. Always listen; to the clients, to the workers, consultants, even the mason, they all have something valuable that will enrich their knowledge and make their design and craft better.

I believe a great designer encourages collaboration and always listens.

A sincere desire for collaboration is often at the source of great design and project success. Usually the best designs are those that appear to be so simple and effortless, yet are very complex and achieves a high level of detail.

Design is all around us; in the objects we touch, the buildings we occupy, and the environments we inhabit. This constant interaction is of great significance as it impacts our quality of life. The importance of design places a responsibility on the architect, the client, the building user, and the community to employ and demand projects that enhance human health and productivity.

I have two. A non-denominational church or place of worship, and an airport.

Le Corbusier, Gaudi, Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaus, Norman Foster, Steven Hall, Zaha Hadid Liebskind, BIG, UN Studio

Design for me is a feeling. It is also a mix of science and art. It is a materialized concept that has the perfect balance between function and beauty.