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nocleirigh

Apr 21, 2011, 6:09 AM

Post #1 of 7 (4122 views)

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Working in Architecture in Mexico

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Hi All, this is my first time to post here, but have been following the site for a while. I'm seriously considering to move to Mexico with my wife, most likely Mexico City in order to live and work in Architecture/ Design. I would like to ask does anyone know what the job situation in Construction/ Architecture is like on the ground? I have looked at numerous employment sites based in Mexico and it appears that there is some work, but i'd really like to know what is the reality in Mexico? I understand the formalities involved in securing a work permit and have been to Mexico before and have an idea of how it might be to get set-up there. If anyone with any kind of insight into this please let me know what they think? Thanks

jerezano

Apr 25, 2011, 9:50 AM

Post #2 of 7 (3979 views)

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Re: [nocleirigh] Working in Architecture in Mexico

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Hello,

The Architectural industry here in Mexico is alive, vibrant, and exciting. You will enjoy it.

Nevertheless, I know nothing about opportunities for employment. I would suspect that it would be almost impossible to set up a private one-man architecture firm. Too, housing construction, while going great guns, seems to be all of one type or mirror images, or minor additions in the endless lines of ticky-tacky, boring, new housing developments. True, the houses will be comfortable and designed for living, but when you visit your neighbors you feel as if in your own home.

For the wealthy that is a different matter and everything from castles to Frank Lloyd Wright housing is being built. The same at really high priced beach resorts. Which mostly tend toward high rise condos.

Come down and explore, but don't make immediate commitments. A lot will depend on just what your own desires are.

As ever, jerezano

richmx2

Apr 25, 2011, 12:13 PM

Post #3 of 7 (3950 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Working in Architecture in Mexico

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Wait! Can the Original poster even be licensed in Mexico? Is there reciprocal licensing with wherever he is licensed now? What is the pay scale for architects compared to what the original poster is used to, and will Mexican firms be able to justify hiring a foreign architect to immigration?

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

robt65

Apr 25, 2011, 1:10 PM

Post #4 of 7 (3936 views)

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Re: [richmx2] Working in Architecture in Mexico

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This fellow is not a Licensed Architect in the USA according to his information. Check out his "user profile". It states he is an "Arcitectural Technician" . . . . this is not an architect. He ma be the equivelent of an "architect's gopher" or possibly a non-certified draftsman, but not an architect.

robt65

jerezano

Apr 25, 2011, 1:14 PM

Post #5 of 7 (3934 views)

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Re: [richmx2] Working in Architecture in Mexico

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Hello all,

OOPs, I see that Robt 65 and I sent responses which crossed in the ether. I did not know that our original poster was not licensed. That will probably make a difference but a good technician will also be able to find an employee who will be able to justify his hire. Good technicians, not go-fers, are not a dime a dozen either.

An architect is a professional, just as a doctor is a professional. Doctors can be licensed in Mexico. I would assume an architect can also be licensed in Mexico.

Usually it involves working as a salaried employee of a licensed professional for a limited time. Sometimes six months, sometimes a year or more. I have no knowledge of the Mexican laws in this matter and as a professional our original poster would obviously check those out.

Are good architects a dime a dozen here in Mexico? No, they are not. If our original poster is any good at all, he will be able to find employment. Salary scales are a different matter. In no way will he be able to get comparable payments here unless he already has international fame.

I hired an architect here in this dinky town of Jerez de García Salinas to put my ideas down on vellum and draw the construction plans for my two story 4 bedroom, three bath house with an attached mother-in-law studio which can be easily converted to an office or consultation office. I specifically asked that he not make up any of the bills of material or other items. Just the layout of the construction, the plumbing, and the electrical. The contractor (in my case me and the albañil) would do the rest. I was surprised that he charged way back in 1997 a sum exceeding $400 us dollars. I had expected about $200 us dollars. I mention this only to give the original poster a base from which to work.

By the way, the facade he designed was heavy, false colonial and pedestrian. I did not use it.

So again I say to the original poster, come down and investigate. It won't hurt you. If you don't like what you find out, then off to Thailand or Arabia or somewhere else. Panama? Who knows?

As ever, jerezano

(This post was edited by jerezano on Apr 25, 2011, 1:22 PM)

sparks

Apr 25, 2011, 4:39 PM

Post #6 of 7 (3899 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Working in Architecture in Mexico

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If you are fluent in Spanish be a middle man for the gringos that don't have a clue. Beyond the Spanish be familiar with Mexico building standards/methods (cement/concrete/brick/block).

The area you choose will have it's own earthquake standards for foundation, posts and beams.

As far as the formal plans go you can usually find an engineer in the local Municipio office that can give you what you need from a napkin drawing for cheap.

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

nocleirigh

Apr 26, 2011, 12:53 AM

Post #7 of 7 (3846 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Working in Architecture in Mexico

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Thanks all for your replies, good to hear from people in mexico, I've done a bit of research into working in Mexico, and being an qualified/ licensed Architectural Technologist, this would translate into a Arquitecto Tecnico/ Ingenierio Technico, a friend of mine recently moved to Brazil (very different country i know) with the same qualification as me, and this did not pose any problems for him, basically he proved his ability and got a full-time position. This profession as far as I know doesn't exist in the US, but it does in Canada and Europe, I'm from Ireland. In Mexico, I would work not as an individual self employed, but would wish to work for local Architectural firms, primarily to gain more experience in the Mexican Architecture industry. As salaries go, i'm aware that wages do not in anyway compare to europe, but are relevant to living in Mexico. As Jerezano says, probably best just to go to Mexico and explore the opportunities, certainly in the Architecture media on Mexico there seems to be amazing architectural work going on. If any one else has anymore insight, please let me know? Also if anyone has any contacts in this industry, be great to be put in touch?