Mexican-born Francisco Gonzalez Pulido, is known as one of the great skyscraper and airport architects across many continents. Beginning his career at his own Mexico City firm in the 90s, Pulido went on to join JAHN, led by progressive German architect Helmut Jahn. In 2017, Pulido founded the eponymous FGP Atelier, where he is hard at work on a baseball stadium in Mexico, a Land Rover HQ in Shanghai, and a tremendous highrise in China. We met FGP himself to discuss his daily routine and rituals for today’s Designer Friday.
Batter up! FGP Atelier’s Diablos Stadium in Mexico City is a premier destination for both sports fanatics and design junkies.
Andrew Joseph: What’s your wakeup ritual?
Francisco Gonzalez Pulido: Run.
Andrew: What’s your go-to bed ritual?
Francisco: Pray.
Andrew: How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Francisco: I don’t.
Andrew: What is one thing no one knows about you?
Francisco: And you guys want to know??? Forget about it!!!
Andrew: Dream project to take on?
Francisco: An offshore drilling rig.
Andrew: Vintage or new?
Francisco: Vintage of course!!! Especially if it is an Electric Guitar or a Leather Jacket.
Andrew: Who do you want to write your obituary?
Francisco: My Wife – Gergana.
Andrew: Style (or design) icon?
Francisco: Yves Saint Laurent.
Andrew: What are three things you can’t live without?
Francisco: The Sun, a Guitar and my Family.
Andrew: What’s one ingredient you put in everything?
Francisco: Conviction.
Andrew: What’s your biggest fear in life?
Francisco: Inequality.
Andrew: Secret talent?
Francisco: I am a professional multitasker.
Andrew: Most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?
Francisco: Get on a Motorcycle 8 hours after a serious motorcycle accident.
Andrew: How would you define your work in three words?
Francisco: Scientific, Anti-style and Democratic.
Andrew: What might the design world look like in 10 years?
Francisco: Better than now because nothing absolutely essential will have any chance of survival.
Andrew: Best advice you’d give your teenage self?
Francisco: Stick to your instincts.
Andrew: A book that everyone should read?
Francisco: 100 years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Andrew: What would you like to be remembered for?
Francisco: For not giving up.
The FGP-designed Land Rover HQ in Shanghai is as sleek as the cars themselves.
Andrew: Best way to take a rest/decompress?
Francisco: Ride a Motorcycle in the middle of nowhere like Montana.
Andrew: Favorite city to recharge?
Francisco: Hong Kong.
Andrew: Best gift you’ve ever received?
Francisco: My Son- Fabricio.
Andrew: Best gift you’ve ever given?
Francisco: My Time.
Andrew: A skill you’re working on mastering?
Francisco: Patience.
Andrew: Who is your ideal client?
Francisco: Eccentrics.
Andrew: Song you can listen to on repeat?
Francisco: Rebel Yell – Billy Idol.
Andrew: What are you most excited about at this time in your life?
Francisco: I know myself better than ever.
Andrew: Your affirmation for today?
Francisco: Death will find me quite Alive.
Andrew: Before leaving the house, you always…
Francisco: Kiss Gergana and Fabricio.
About The Designer | Mexican-born global architect Francisco Gonzalez Pulido, founder of Chicago-based firm FGP Atelier, regularly employs science, technology, and design to drive social and economic advancement. Formerly the President of JAHN in Chicago, Francisco started his firm just over a year-and-a-half ago. FGP Atelier is now a studio of over 35 employees that celebrates diversity and is dedicated to rethinking the way architecture is approached on a global scale. The firm’s projects span the world over, from Shanghai to Mexico to LA, with a focus on the principles of integrated design, biophilia, culture, site-specific research, and solutions-based building. FGP Atelier’s core values are structured within three main notions: experiential architecture, evolutionary ideas, and extraordinary design.
Andrew Joseph is a regular contributing editor for ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine. See more of his work here.
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