By Eleni Gage
Juan Ignacio Ramos, whose work is showcased in the new book Honest Modernism, uses architecture to celebrate what really matters: family, nature and a connection to the world. He was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a house designed by his father and a colleague who had trained under Le Corbusier. The buildings designed by Estudio Ramos all shine a spotlight on the natural environment that surrounds them—from an equestrian center with an earth-covered roof in Saudi Arabia to a single-family home in Buenos Aires constructed around an oak tree standing on the grounds. This commitment to finding, and highlighting, the beauty in the world is on display in Estudio Ramos: Honest Modernism, a collection of stunning images from Estudio Ramos’ portfolio.
While some architects seem to construct buildings seeking permanence, for Ramos, architecture is an exercise in transcendence. “I think that architecture is a form of art,” he explains, “and if there’s a universal order, or God—call it whatever you want to—art is a step closer to that. The way I express myself, and the way I can justify my life, is by trying to be a good parent and a good architect.” Ramos, a Hamptons resident who helms the New York office of Estudio Ramos, while his son Ignacio heads up the Buenos Aires branch, and daughter Belen contributes from her home in Chicago, adds, “To be able to do that, and on top of that, to work with my children, is a blessing.” estudioramos.com
