Daniel is the Co-Founder and Director of V Taller, alongside with Miguel Valverde, Daniel has channeled his passion or architecture into creating spaces that blend culture, nature and narrative. Committed to authenticity, V Taller is dedicated to building spaces that help people connect with the environment as well as with their cultual roots. Get to know the story of this successful Mexican architecture studio and Daniel’s story in this short interview.
Name: Daniel Villanueva Sandoval
Instagram: @vtaller
Website: www.vtaller.com
Title: Co-Founder and Director in V taller
City you live in: Guadalajara
Most recent city visited… CDMX
A typical day in my life includes… My morning coffee barefoot in my garden watching the plants as my daughters wake up to come up and say hello.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… I always wanted to be an architect because I loved to draw, and in my mind, the architect’s primary tool was drawing. I was fortunate to have a grandfather who was a carpenter and taught me to draw. We had a wonderful relationship, and he loved taking me to his workshop, where I could play with wood. He explained how, through drawings, I could create the sculptures and utilitarian objects that form the basis of my work today—transforming ideas into drawings and from drawings into the space created by matter.
My first job was… In a coffee bar during high school while i studied in the mornings and worked in the afternoons trying to save some money to afford a trip to New Zealand where i would work and be close to the constant surfing, save some more money and travel more in search of waves without having to work for 2 months in South East Asia.
My favorite thing about traveling is… “A state of absolute presence, where we rediscover the capacity for wonder.”
The perfect day would be… today
My favorite place I’ve visited… Perhaps it’s because of the fondness born from countless experiences and lessons learned through various facets of my life, but Ticla, a small virgin town on Michoacán’s coast, holds a special place in my heart. This enchanting spot is where surfing meets tranquility, and the river’s mouth flows into the sea. I’ve witnessed it transform in mere seconds during rainy seasons. The community thrives here, fishing for ‘gardumo’ in calm moments. Ancient traditions and indigenous cuisine persist, alongside traditional construction methods using wooden textiles. Every time I recall Ticla, it fills me with joy.”
My top 3 bucket list destinations: Mountains, waves and snow
How did V Taller start?
It all began at the start of our professional careers, when Miguel and I were on different paths, yet both restless and seeking a unique approach. We had known each other through various stages of life, until we coincided in professional studies. I was part of a visualization studio, in which we taught courses, and Miguel sought me out in order to get a course in architectural visualisation, which aroused his interest.
Before long, I became discontent with my current path and decided to reach out to Miguel, with whom I had remained professionally connected. We discussed collaborating on an architectural project, which became a residential sales project. Our partnership flourished, and I continued to receive visualization requests. Miguel, having learned visualization skills from the course, joined me, and our collaboration evolved.
Eventually, we segmented our workshop into two distinct entities: one focused on architectural design and the other on architectural visualization. This allowed us to design smaller-scale projects and visualize larger-scale projects for renowned architects, now colleagues and friends. This experience was invaluable, enabling us to learn extensively from studying the designs of respected peers.
What makes V Taller different from other architectural design firms?
I’d love it if the answer were nothing, as the pursuit of standing out or differentiating ourselves can be unnecessary.
What is your brand philosophy?
Where culture meets nature. We create spaces that tell stories , bridge eras and inspire connection. We are an architectural studio that fuses cultural diversity with the interpretation of the natural environment in each project. We draw inspiration from local traditions to create spaces that reflect identity and belonging to their unique context, while integrating nature into the design through site-specific strategies like light, void, and texture to harmonize with the surroundings, where time takes hold. We celebrate the intersection of culture, nature, and architecture, always seeking balance that inspires and transcends, crafting living narratives that connect past, present, and future.
What Is the main purpose of V Taller?
Designing spaces that reconnect humans with nature and foster a sense of belonging.
How are you making V Taller earth-friendly and socially responsable?
I really don’t like the idea of labeling it simplistically. Everything we do has positive and negative consequences. By assigning a specific label to our architecture, we risk being incorrect in other aspects , as they don’t fit within that category. However, by recognizing our interconnectedness as a living system, we drive ourselves to continuously improve. But, by responding through understanding, we always see the site as another client with its own story to tell (site conditions) embedded in a cultural context that can be honored by using local techniques, site materials, and endemic vegetation to preserve and enhance the life surrounding the area.
What has been the biggest challenge of V Taller?
Looking back, we see how our workshop has grown and overcome challenges. From 2022, or perhaps early 2023, we decided restructure. Our organic growth had led to informal processes, inefficiencies and limitations so we realized it was time to establish clear processes by improving resource management and making informed decisions. Thanks to this transformation, we are now trying to expand our horizons, capitalize on our value in real estate development and innovate and grow.
