Rodolfo Glenton: Architecture as a Constantly Evolving Art Form

Rodolfo Glenton is a successful architect and designer who has had the unique opportunity to experience architecture in its full spectrum, technical and theoretical. He has worked in highly regarded international architecture firms such as Hurtado Architects and Ricci Architecture, owned his own studio, and taught at Nicaragua’s most prestigious university of architecture, UAM.

With over 20 years of experience, Rodolfo has developed a keen eye for shifting architectural trends. Now, he shares his insights by analyzing industry changes and reflecting on the design principles that have shaped his career.

Early Beginnings and Development

Rodolfo attributes much of his success to his early years. “I started working on architecture since I was at the university around the year 1998, doing volunteering jobs at NGOs back in Nicaragua. I worked mostly designing very basic rural buildings for schools’ facilities and restrooms for children in poverty rural areas, under the guidance of UNICEF in most cases,” he explains.

His years working with UNICEF allowed him to leave school with an extensive level of experience which helped him land a job in one of Nicaragua’s top architecture firms, Zamora Rivas Architects. There, he began as a junior architect, overseeing small architectural projects such as small banking offices, beach houses, and high schools.

However, Rodolfo did not simply climb the ladder from junior to senior architect. After a successful tenure at Zamora Rivas, he was invited to teach at CentroCAD Nicaragua, one of the country’s most prestigious academies, due to his extensive knowledge of new breakthrough architectural software. His expertise in CAD software, a groundbreaking technology at the time, put him in a distinguished position as a professor at Universidad Americana UAM.

During his tenure as a teacher, Rodolfo was in charge of keeping the university up to date with the new standards of architecture, helping develop a better curriculum for up-and-coming architects. Rodolfo states, “These experiences allowed me to understand architecture as a continuous profession, it changes through time and, like an art form, you can constantly aim to improve. With that in mind, education has always been an important drive throughout my career.”

Break Through and Applied Knowledge

Rodolfo’s years of consistently working on his craft caught the attention of big firms that aimed to bring his eye for innovation to their team. He decided to take on what would be the most challenging architecture project of his career, working with Ricci Architects. The firm is known for its Italian design and for leading the charge in what is trending in the refined European market. He shares, “It was an eye-opening experience, and it helped me get in tune with what was to be my own style and preferred aesthetic.”

But it was not at Ricci where Rodolfo would come into his own. Looking for better opportunities to showcase his style, he took an opportunity to work at Hurtado Architects, a young up-and-coming firm at the time, which shared his passion and eye for innovation. With Hurtado, he found himself working with people who shared the same love for pure, minimalist, and contemporary architecture, and this partnership was fruitful, leading them to be nominated for the Arch Daily Architecture Award.

Rodolfo stresses the importance of collaborating with like-minded individuals who allow you to aim at your best: “This was our permanent goal at the firm, to create a timeless piece of architecture, one that was not bound to an era but could perfectly embody beauty and purpose throughout time.”

Opening His Own Studio and Working with Nestlé and 3G Office

After great success working with Hurtado Architects, Rodolfo went on to start his own business, Studio KMPS, along with two partners. Their goal was to create easy, modern, and affordable interior design for offices and commercial clients. This happened during the commercial and industrial boom of Managua, the country’s capital. The venture was ahead of this time for the country, and it was challenging at first. But with a budget-friendly approach and meticulous attention to detail, delivering a concept that was new and in demand, Rodolfo and Studio KMPS made a name for themselves, attracting the interest of international giants such as 3G Office and Nestlé.

With the stream of great success in Managua, Rodolfo had the opportunity to work with the 3G Office. The company spanned 45 countries across Europe and Latin America, but there was no presence in Nicaragua. With a plan of expansion in mind, they saw Rodolfo as the reference in the field and trusted him to open a 3G Office representation in Nicaragua and to renovate the HQ of Nestlé, their long-time collaborators. Rodolfo attaches his success with these companies to his dedication to remaining up to date with the new trends of architecture: “The key factors on hiring me was that I already had an established firm and possessed the technological expertise since completing a series of BIM courses (building information modeling) which was crucial for the development of the architectural project.”

Conclusion

These previous experiences working at Studio KMPS and 3G Office set the tone for new endeavors. After these highly successful projects, Rodolfo made a name for himself and started collaborating with different partners, such as the Miami-based firm NAR Design and Gallegos Architects. During these new ventures, Rodolfo kept searching for other ways to grow, delving into the quoting process, quality control, and construction management, and found himself in high demand working in Miami during the massive migration that happened during and after COVID-19. This eagerness is what keeps leading him to positions of success and this mentality is key for anyone in any field.

Rodolfo Glenton’s journey through architecture showcases the value of continuous learning and adaptability. His ability to stay ahead of trends, particularly through his embrace of cutting-edge technologies like BIM, has played a crucial role in his success. His philosophy that architecture is a constantly evolving art form has led him to a career of astounding success.