Alejandrina Galicia Escobar is a project architect with Building Diagnostics Mexico in Mexico City. The branch liaison for the Mexico City branch of IIBEC, she graduated from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico with a degree in architecture and completed her MBA from Universidad Europea.
How did you get involved with IIBEC?
About two years ago, several of my co-workers in Austin and Houston were IIBEC members, I also knew some colleagues here in Mexico who were already members. During one of the weekly meetings we have in my company, we talked about the lack of information about the building envelope here in Mexico, and that was when we discussed starting a branch. Thomas Pope, who was part of the leadership team of one of the chapters in Texas, approached Tara Cottle at IIBEC, and then I started the process.
I took the RRO preparation course online in early 2021 and plan to find the time to take the exam later this year. Since then, I have taken several courses online and have attended the IIBEC Leadership Workshop as well as the 2022 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show in Orlando. The one presentation that stood out from the others for me was the online course about thermal and moisture issues in design. It cultivated my interest in thermal and energy efficiency.
Can you tell me more about your experience starting a branch in Mexico? What have you learned so far from the process? What has been the biggest challenges?
First of all, it has not been easy.
We started the branch process at the same time as the COVID pandemic started. Everything was moved to online. We’ve been fortunate that there are a lot of people interested in the building enclosure here in Mexico as well as the US that are fluent in Spanish and are willing to participate as presenters and speakers. So far, we’ve been able to put together 11 seminars in Spanish. We started in July 2020. We are right now planning another webinar with an excellent speaker about the installation and tests of high-performance windows for August or September this year.
IIBEC was not well known before we started the Mexico City branch. Our biggest challenge is to convince people that this organization has something important to offer, that there is value, and it is worth the money for membership.
I think it is only a matter of time. We need to be patient, wait, and then we will see the results.
What do you do on a typical day on your job?
Right now, I am working on a building that requires full monitoring, I spend half the time on the jobsite and the other half writing up reports and providing updates and information to the client. This has been special for me as I typically work at the office. It has allowed me to be fully involved from design to completion, whereas I normally handle only a specific part of the project such architectural aspects or the facade and roof systems.
Have there been any projects that you have enjoyed more than usual?
Definitely—the current building I am working on. It has given me the time and opportunity to provide opinion about design and construction documentation from beginning to the end.
Another project I enjoyed working on was a building called Terret. It was a roof replacement in Mexico City in the area called Polanco. The building was finished in 2013, but it had a lot of leaks and a history of two different waterproofing system and several repair attempts in less than five years of operation. It was challenging as we tried to figure out the root cause of the leaks. With the intention of finding the spots or areas that were causing water infiltration, we carried out several moisture surveys before and after the rainy season. We identified a pattern, and the areas were replaced because water had damaged the insulation. I was involved in the design and monitoring phase of the project. That consisted of a partial replacement of the existing waterproofing membrane and thermal layer as well as the addition of a reinforced coating that met the client’s budget and their expectations about service life and performance. Now there are no leaks, and we have a system that provides a cooler roof. It was a successful project. I want to take the opportunity to thank Brett Fagan for his technical guidance and willingness to help remotely in this project.
Have you had any mentors in the industry? What have they taught you?
There have been so many, not just one person, as I have worked for several architectural firms. I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out. Over my career, I have met many people with a lot of passion and interest in what they do, and many of these same people have technical knowledge. I admire this the most—a desire to build things and surpass themselves with each project. I have learned something from all of them.
If I were to boil it down, it would be: Have a desire to keep learning, and be better on each project. Learn from your mistakes on previous project.
What advice would you give today to someone starting out in the industry?
Never stop preparing and getting certifications, registrations, and learning. Find something you really like, and specialize on that topic. Become an expert. Right now, I am increasing my knowledge, and I hope to become a specialist in metal flashing and roof replacements.
Is there any advice you have for someone working on international projects outside their own country?
I have been fortunate to work on several international projects. Working on these projects has taught me that each country has their own regulations and construction practices. You need to learn each country’s regulations and methods of construction to be successful.
What value has IIBEC involvement brought to your career?
IIBEC has reinforced the values I always practice: Be ethical and objective, and understand your own personal bias.
What have been your greatest accomplishments, personal and/or professional?
Personally, my family is my greatest accomplishment—my husband and my two children, and I don’t want to forget my dog, because I am dog lover.
Professionally, it’s being an active professional, having the opportunity to prepare myself, to study and get certifications, to continuously improve who I am as an architect.
What do you do when you are not working? What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I am usually with my kids and their extracurricular activities: music and sports. Carolina, my daughter, is the oldest, and she takes piano lessons, while Alejandro, my son, likes a lot of sports. He is four and has not been able to attend school yet due to the pandemic, so we try to keep him busy with sports, especially soccer and swimming.
I like to go swimming two or three times a week as well as join my husband, Rafael, as he practices the Mexican equestrian sport of Charreria.
Why should you advertise with IIBEC?