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“How far we go depends on us”: an interview with architect Hilario Canessa

March 11, 2024
With a strong technological focus, his company, Studio 4D, is at the forefront of innovation in architecture and new technologies, and carries out multi-million-dollar megaprojects for companies such as Amazon.
Hilario Canessa, an architect who graduated from ORT’s architecture program and CEO of Studio 4D

As part of the 25th anniversary of the School of Architecture at Universidad ORT Uruguay, we spoke with Architect Hilario Canessa, a distinguished graduate of ORT’s architecture program and CEO of the renowned Studio 4D.

In this context, Canessa emphasized the importance of diversifying skills and the need to take initiative, organic business growth, and adapting to market demands, as well as his company’s international focus and global aspirations.

Architecture and Entrepreneurship

The graduate started his company because of his passion for creating renderings and the lack of specialized firms in Uruguay at the time.

From the very beginning, Studio 4D had an export-oriented focus, which led it to work on international projects, such as a mega-project for Amazon in Washington, D.C.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_IVZE80Y1k

Looking ahead, the entrepreneur hopes that Studio 4D will become the best visualization company in the world and believes in aiming high to achieve that goal.

Architecture and Technology

Among other things, Canessa also emphasized the vital importance of staying up to date on new technologies, both in architecture and in any other discipline.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETuGZzkApcQ

The architect stated that generative artificial intelligence will transform all industries and activities, and that the key difference lies in how the technology is used to generate new products.

25th Anniversary of the School of Architecture

Finally, Canessa spoke about the importance of his architectural education at Universidad ORT Uruguay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWi8s-ojw1g

According to the architect, ORT has played “a key role in training architecture professionals in Uruguay,” and the breadth of its architecture program enables its graduates to work in a variety of fields, ranging from design to construction, management, and even audiovisual production.

“The wide range of career options gives architects the opportunity to stand out and forge their own paths,” said Hilario Canessa, who added:

I think they paved the way, and the truth is that I've benefited from their efforts.