We’re delighted to speak with "
Bernardo Quinzaños", founder of
Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA) in 2008 . Bernardo Quinzaños began his career in the visual arts, including painting, sculpture, and drawing. He completed his studies in Architecture and Urbanism at the Universidad Iberoamericana (2002-2007). At the helm of CCA, he has developed significant public, urban, and cultural projects, as well as individual and collective housing. His work is characterized by geometric qualities, innovation in structural systems, and sustainability with a humanistic approach. Currently, he holds the positions of CEO and Creative Director within CCA.
The studio has operated as an independent space dedicated to the research, conceptualization, and development of architectural and urban projects, focused on generating a positive impact on both context and society. CCA's interdisciplinary structure has allowed the cultivation of knowledge, talent, and creativity from each collaborator to generate ideas that maximize the potential of each project through an inclusive, collaborative, and interdisciplinary work system.
We're excited to speak with him about his perspective on the field of architecture and his expectations from the participants of the
Tiny Library 2025 Architecture Competition. For the purpose of this interview, he would be referred to as BQ in responses, however, Volume Zero is referred to as VZ.
Community Development Center
Community Development Center by Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA)
VZ- What are some of your favorite projects/projects that you worked on? What were the most exciting parts about it?
BQ- When I´m asked this type of question the first thing that comes into my mind is that the most exciting projects are the ones we are working on right now, because current projects carry all of our experiences and learnings from all previous ones and therefore our potential to generate significant impact is always on the rise. Some of my favorite projects have been those that push the boundaries of collaboration, especially in public and cultural spaces.
For example, one of our most recent works, the Masterplan for La Paz, stands out not only for its scale but also for the complexity of engaging with local communities, varied topographies, and climatic conditions. What excites me most is the opportunity to design from a place of inclusion, creating spaces that are deeply rooted in context while offering new spatial possibilities. I also find great joy in our smaller-scale cultural projects, where we can explore form and material in more intimate, experimental ways.
VZ- What has been your most challenging project? What were the challenges faced with topography, local climate, structure, clients, people, etc.?
BQ- One of the most challenging projects was the urban regeneration of Jalpa de Méndez in Tabasco. We had to rethink the city’s public fabric across very diverse and sensitive conditions, extreme humidity, poor soil mechanics, and a fragmented social landscape. The challenge was not just technical but cultural. It demanded a great deal of empathy, listening, and constant negotiation between community needs, institutional agendas, and architectural intention.
Escuela Banciaria y Comercial Aguascalientes
Escuela Banciaria y Comercial Aguascalientes by Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA)
VZ- What would be your word of advice for all the young budding students and architects who are looking to make a mark in this professional world?
BQ- Stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions that have no clear answers. Architecture isn’t just about designing buildings; it’s about constructing meaning. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you, and be open to forms of knowledge beyond architecture, like art, politics, science and craft. And above all, understand that collaboration is not a soft skill, it’s a method and a strength.
VZ- What are you expecting from the proposal and the participants for the Tiny Library 2025?
BQ- I’m looking forward to proposals that are both poetic and grounded, conceptually strong, yet deeply aware of context and user experience. I’m interested in how participants resolve the relationship between architecture and site, between scale and ambition. I hope to see solutions that are structurally inventive, socially inclusive, and spatially surprising, even within a small footprint.
Manuel Vargas Izquierdo Stadium & High-Performance Sports Center
Manuel Vargas Izquierdo Stadium & High-Performance Sports Center by Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica (CCA)
VZ- Is there any aspect of the brief that appeals to you the most or do you find it the most challenging?
BQ- The area restriction is one of the most interesting parts. It forces clarity and intention in every decision. You can’t hide behind excess, you have to be precise. I also find spatial adaptability fascinating: how can a space this small serve multiple functions or adapt to different users throughout the day? These constraints can be frustrating, but that’s where innovation often emerges.
VZ- Explain your perspective when designing a Tiny Library in today's day & age. How would you approach this?
BQ- Designing a Tiny Library today is an opportunity to rethink what we value in public space. It’s not just about storing books, it’s about creating a space for reflection, connection, and access to knowledge. At CCA, we approach this kind of challenge by looking at architecture as a social interface. I would begin with questions: Who will use this library? When? How do light, sound, and movement interact with such a compact structure?
I believe in architecture that listens, to its context, to its users, to the limitations it’s given. In a world that moves quickly and often superficially, a tiny library can offer slowness, focus, and dignity.
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