The Architect Andy Robert, a graduate of the Architecture program at ORT, co-founder and CEO of /slantis, was recognized for her international influence at the helm of her company, which combines architecture and technology with a focus on the United States and top-tier clients.
His testimony was also part of the series Encuentros El Empresarioseries, where he called for “show more of Uruguay to the world” and emphasized the need for public-private partnership to enhance that visibility.
Architecture and Technology for the U.S.
/slantis, co-founded by Andy Robert and Mercedes Carriquiry, offers services that integrate architectural design and technology for the U.S. market, with clients such as Google, Apple, YouTube, and the University of California, San Diego.
The company—during the hiring process— has grown since its founding within the construction and promotes participation of women in the sector. Robert added:
“We need to raise our profile as a country so that people know who we are.”
Drawing on his entrepreneurial experience, Robert described Uruguay as an environment where close ties with key figures and the opportunity to learn from other entrepreneurs accelerate growth.
That network of connections, he noted, provides access to high-level stories, challenges, and solutions—something that “does not come about as easily in other contexts.”
- You might also be interested in reading: “‘Changing the way we practice architecture through technology’: an interview with architect Andy Robert”
Negotiating on the go: study, prepare, and go out and sell
When it came to the exterior, the architect was adamant:
“There’s no magic formula: you just have to sit down and study.”
In addition, Robert recommended learning how to negotiate and how to sell, and talking to those who have already done so to shorten the learning curve.
He also emphasized that the private sector plays an active role in opening doors in the international industry, without downplaying the importance of collaborating with the public sector.
- You might also be interested in reading: “/slantis: The company leading the technological revolution in architecture”
Women and Technology: Raising Awareness, Measuring Impact, Taking Action
Robert pointed out that the female participation in technology remains underdeveloped and that it is key to highlight more role models.
He also pointed out a gender bias in access to venture capital and noted that, in the U.S., only 2% of female founders raise capital—while in Uruguay there are no statistics—so the first step is to acknowledge the challenge and then define concrete actions.
- We also recommend reading: “8 Women Who Transformed Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture”
El Empresario Meetings: Showcasing the Country to the World
Meanwhile, at the second luncheon of the 2025 series of Encuentros El Empresario, organized by El País, Andy Robert sat down with leading figures from the business community.
There, he reiterated his vision of Uruguay as a “hotbed of opportunities” and emphasized that “we need to go out and show Uruguay to the world”.
He also argued that the the public sector should support those in the private sector who perform “service to the country” by promoting Uruguay, attracting investment and foster professional development.
An ORT Graduate's International Reach
The presence of Andy Robert in El País and his leadership at the helm of /slantis highlight a success story with global impact of a graduate of the School of Architecture at Universidad ORT Uruguay, who exports knowledge and builds bridges between architecture and technology.