The Origin.

This story begins in the wonderful life-altering year of 2020. It was the last year of my undergraduate studies at the University of Miami and I was on a high. Four years in Miami, and I finally started to understand the city and my place in it. I finally had some free time with most of my credits completed to explore both myself and my interests. This exploration led me to none other than the School of Architecture. Designing clothes for the past year and a half with my big brother Dustin, I knew that some of my favorite designers just so happened to be trained in architecture. Virgil Abloh, Tom Ford, and Tinker Hatfield, who designed many of the Jordans, were all people who utilized their understanding and skillset in architecture to design all kinds of things: sneakers, clothing, sculptures, art, music. I thought to myself, shit, I’ll have what they’re having, and decided to taken an Architectural History 101… oh so I thought.

The Studio.

It was a January morning in Miami, and I entered the School of Architecture, walking up to a second-floor classroom. I’ve never experienced a classroom like this before. It was open and bright, and they were big tables and pinup boards. As I looked around the room, I thought to myself I wonder how the professor is going to lecture in here? Shortly after, two gentlemen walked in. A man with a full beard, thick mustache, Ray-Bans, and a dapper and another man with a collared shirt, sweater, and slacks. It was 85 degrees out, but even in their autumn attire, they were cool as hell. “Hello everyone”, the first man said. “Welcome to the Architecture Design studio. What?! Dang, I couldn’t believe it. I signed up for an architecture design class, not an architecture history class. He continued and directed us that we were going to be taking the class outside. Alright, I thought, at least we’re off to a good start.

The whole class sat outside around the table. The first man looked around, took a moment, and asked… “What do you need to make architecture?”. We all looked around. Silence. What do you need to make architecture? I’m not even supposed to be here. But something inside of me told me to raise my hand. So I did. “Inspiration”. The silence fell again…… “Correct” - Jorge Trelles, amazing architect, mentor and one of my biggest inspirations. But this story isn’t about him... this story is about the other gentleman who walked in with Jorge that day. Another mentor of mine, another brother of mine. An incredible human spirit and talented architect: Mario Ostolaza Guitian.

It is because of Mario that I went on to attend the University of Miami’s Master’s of Architecture. All throughout these years, he has been nothing short of a sensei to me. This is the story of a recent trip I took to visit him in Virginia.

Virginia is for Sluggers.

On a Friday afternoon, I made the four hour drive four to Alexandria, Virginia, the new home of Mario. Although attending the UM for several years, he was born and raised in Santander, Spain Santander (yes, like the bank). From when I met Mario in 2020, he’s held a very special passion and authenticity. His soul emits focus, dedication, and vitality. There were several times during school, we would stay up 4 or 5 in the morning, helping me understand the foreign language of architecture. After he had graduated, he moved to Virginia to work under a great, mid century, modern architecture firm with his wife, Isa. Those four years working there, he admits, have been tough, but I can tell his expertise in the field has grown exponentially. If I was ever in need of building shelter in the wilderness, this is the guy I would call. Anyways, I ride to Alexandria and we meet up for tacos. We went on to his apartment, which had a very familiar sight: books, books, books, books, and more books. And drawings, drawings, drawings, and more drawings. Similar to most architects’ abodes, incredible design references, material swatches, plants, mementos from travels, and a feeling of Home greet you right away. After hanging out for a bit, we decided to visit the homes he had designed in the area. Alexandria is a beautiful city filled with quaint neighborhoods with incredible mid-century, modern homes. Different colors, additions, windows, sunken houses, gravel roofs, raised floors. Every single house we visited was diligently designed and Mario could explain everything about them. That night we ended up talking for hours about life, design, and for our plans the next day.

Hikers Delight.

The next day would be a big one. Mario had a great idea to hike the Blue Ridge Mountains. On the way there, we observed the vast, open scenery. There’s something so peaceful about a long road in a rural area. It’s so disconnecting, it’s connecting. Mario came prepared. We both had two nylon parachute bags with camelbacks filled with water. He brought sardines, olives, muscles, and Starbucks egg sandwiches. I was in my dad’s hiking sneakers, Champion sweatpants, yellow thermal, brown striped shirt. Mario was wearing his trademarked collar and sweater combo, hiking boots, and a buret. As we hiked, many Virginians commented on his buret. That’s just the kind of guy Mario is. Different. The hike was long and tall and wide. We traversed 3000 feet above the ground, climbing rocks, jumping over puddles, staring out onto the endless mountain range. Whenever we had difficulty, he would say, “Focus on your breath, and let your legs follow”. That hike returned me to my body, my breath, my mind. I thought, Wow, the greatest things in life are free. We have unlimited air to breathe. Introspective? Or the altitude? Probably both. We continued the hike, summiting the top of the mountain. Wow, we stopped to rest. To bask in the sun. To feel the breeze. To live for just one moment.

On Site.

The next morning, we woke up and knew what kind of day was: slug. Mario and Isa were one of the first supporters of Slug, obtaining the original White Toes. They were the quintessential sluggers: patient, passionate, having a great deal of perseverance. We decided that the Timbo slug would be perfect to shoot at one of Mario’s homes, which was under construction. The wood, the dirt, the steel, the scenery. It was as real as it gets. A work in progress. Just like us all. Take a look at the video and photos to get an idea of Mario’s world, one he designs himself.

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Mario

By Design.