• Aula Magna IESE: c/ Arnús i Garí, 7 (Campus Nord del IESE)

• By Benjamín Romano, with Santi Mercadé

During the first conference of Foros 2024: Landing, Mexican architect Benjamín Romano will share the secrets of Torre Reforma, a skyscraper that has become a new icon on the Mexico City skyline. The architect will explain the project from an architectural point of view, based on flow efficiency, human comfort and the urban context. It also takes a look at how the project breaks away from an entire generation of skyscrapers, which are traditionally designed with glazed façades.

In addition to being the tallest building in Mexico’s capital, Torre Reforma is also an icon of innovation and leadership in the high-rise building industry. Proper flow planning led to a 25% reduction in energy consumption, zero drainage to the city, a considerable 30% reduction in drinking water consumption, and a lower budget for a high-rise building.

About Benjamín Romano

Benjamín Romano is an architect who graduated from the Ibero-American University of Mexico City and founder of the architecture studio LBR&A. With a professional career spanning 45 years, Romano has become well-known for creating spaces that aim to solve structural challenges.

LBR&A has developed projects that stand out for their contemporary design, advanced technology and flexible spaces, with a clear structural-spatial understanding that strengthens Mexican technique and its use of solid materials.

One of his iconic projects is Torre Reforma, a 246-metre-tall skyscraper that has shaped the urban skyline of Mexico City. The building became the first LEED Platinum building in the country.

About Santi Mercadé

Santi Mercadé will offer a counterpoint from the perspective of the real estate and development sector. Mercadé has been CEO of Layetana Real Estate since 1986. He has spearheaded real estate developments in Barcelona and Madrid, focusing especially on residential projects, such as housing for the elderly and the Build-to-Rent (BTR) model. From 1999 to 2012, he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Urban Land Institute (Washington, USA). 

About Foros

Foros, the annual conference series organised by UIC Barcelona School of Architecture, has used this year’s edition to look at reflections and analyses based on proposals from architects who are using their work to define what the new architectural paradigm will look like.

Foros has become a benchmark for the academic and professional architecture community. Through talks given by prestigious invited speakers from both Spain and abroad, the conference series aims to tackle questions related to current issues, as well as spark discussions on aspects that are vitally important for architects.

Free entry: https://apply.iese.edu/uic-school-of-architecture-010224/