Transforming a city and beautifying it are two goals that could top Ricardo Fernández’s list; a graduate of the Architecture at Universidad ORT Uruguay in Universidad ORT Uruguay currently works from Ecuador as the regional manager of the Gómez Platero firm.
His focus is on developing new business opportunities in the Ecuadorian real estate market, without losing sight of what is happening in his own country. “The Uruguayan market is much more mature and places greater value on good design,” says the executive, describing his experience at ORT as a milestone that helped him get to where he is today.
Gómez Platero is a Uruguayan company that has expanded into various markets, such as Ecuador. How did you settle into the company?
I joined the firm in 2001; I was still finishing my architecture degree at ORT and started as an intern, specifically on the preliminary design for the Guayaquil Bus Terminal. Without realizing it, Ecuador was already calling me at that moment. Since then, I’ve stayed at the firm and never left.
What are the main aspects of your work as a regional manager?
The main focus of my work is to expand and develop new business opportunities in order to strengthen relationships with both existing and new clients. I also work to foster collaboration between our team in Uruguay and the services and projects we offer and develop in each of the key areas I manage.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most is not only meeting new people and experiencing new cultures, but also building long-term relationships with our clients. The feeling of leaving a client delighted after delivering a spectacular project is truly priceless. Plus, always having new challenges and goals is incredibly motivating.
"The Uruguayan market still offers plenty of opportunities for ambitious projects."
What challenges are you currently working on?
I am currently not only facing the challenge of further consolidating our position in the Ecuadorian market, but also seeking to expand into the Peruvian market. We have made a tentative entry into the Peruvian market. We do have several projects underway, including one that is nearing completion, but my goal is to expand our presence there.
What are the characteristics of works bearing the Gómez Platero label?
Above all else, whatever we do must delight the client, contribute to making the city a better place, and, of course, be profitable for those who commission us. We are committed to doing things right and ensuring that our projects are enjoyed by as many people as possible.
The firm is known for undertaking large-scale projects such as the Banco de Guayaquil and the Nuevocentro shopping mall in Montevideo. Is there a commitment to taking on major challenges?
For us, every project is a challenge, regardless of its size. We bring the same dedication, care, and commitment to every project entrusted to us. Obviously, our track record, our national and international expertise, and the trust our clients have placed in us by allowing us to partner with them on their projects—not just large ones, but challenging ones as well—have positioned us to be who we are today. We truly have an amazing team that can tackle projects of any scale, and the more challenging the project, the more we love it.
"I probably wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't spent time at ORT."
How do you view the Uruguayan real estate market? How does it differ from the Ecuadorian market?
Looking at it from a distance, Uruguay’s real estate market is becoming increasingly established. The biggest difference I see compared to Ecuador is the scale. Here, the projects are larger because the market is also bigger. Another difference I see is that the Uruguayan market is much more mature and places greater value on good design—something that is starting to happen in Ecuador but still needs to mature a bit more in that regard.
Is there room in the Uruguayan market for more ambitious projects? If you could choose, what would you build and where?
There is no doubt that the Uruguayan market still offers plenty of opportunities for ambitious projects, and the fact that more people—both local and foreign—are willing to invest in the country will be crucial, thanks to the country’s reputation for reliability and its standing in the region.
As for what I would build and where, I’m not very ambitious. These years abroad have made me appreciate Uruguay much more. I’d love to design and build myself a beautiful house by the mar, somewhere along the Uruguayan coast.
Which existing work of art or building in the world would you have liked to have created?
Something our director, Martín Gómez Platero, instills in us is his vision that all our projects must contribute to making the city a better place. I am firmly convinced that this is how it should be, and I am obsessed with improving the urban environment. An example we often cite—and one with which I identify 100%—is not a building, but rather an urban intervention that achieved exactly that, and did so very effectively. I’m referring to the High Line in New York (United States), where, by repurposing a disused infrastructure that was about to be dismantled, they managed to turn the situation around by creating a linear park with exceptional landscaping and design, which revitalized that area of Manhattan and made it one of the most visited areas today—and one with the highest property values. I would have loved to have been part of that creative and conceptualization process.
How did your time at ORT influence your career path?
It really meant a great deal to me. First of all, the opportunity to be part of an amazing firm like Gómez Platero. While I was studying at ORT, the architect Juan Bastarrica—whom I held in very high regard both professionally and personally—had not only been my professor at the university but was also part of the firm’s team of architects. It was Juan who introduced me to Martín Gómez Platero, and both of them invited me to join the firm. I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t spent time at ORT, a university where, without a doubt, you make great friends and build close relationships that can change your life.
On the other hand, it gave me a different perspective on the profession. It made me appreciate my degree even more and motivated me to do my best. It also encouraged me to think outside the box, and I found that professors, the dean’s office, and my peers are always there to support you at every stage of your academic journey.