Edited highlights of a conversation with Austin-based architects, Juan Miró and Miguel Rivera, the creative force behind the envelope-pushing designs seen trackside at the Circuit of The Americas. You can read the full feature in the fall issue of Texas Lifestyle Magazine, out mid-October.

“We believe that each new project, no matter how big or small, should be addressed with the same degree of design sensibility as the last.”

“Our drive comes from two goals: one, very practical: we want to address the needs of our clients. The other is aspirational: to take care of the first goal while creating buildings infused with beauty that embody new ideas and human aspirations, and hopefully make our designs transcend time and place.”

“The Pedestrian Bridge [at Lake Austin] is one of our most memorable projects. It was a small project in scale, but has captivated the attention of a global audience for its sensibility to its surrounding environment, simplicity and quiet elegance.”

“The Observation Tower structure at the Circuit of the Americas, in contrast to the Pedestrian Bridge, is monumental in scale. It has become an icon for the track and for the city of Austin as a whole—seen by millions of people every year.”

“For us it is not just about aesthetics. We believe that, as ‘architects-citizens,’ it is our responsibility to improve our cities and our society in general. We do not have to wait for a commission to put forward our ideas. For example, we are committed to improving Austin, the city where we live and for which we have produced several urban proposals over the years. We have highlighted the importance of public space in urban life and have promoted our ideas in public, through exhibitions, local newspapers and at the City Council.”

Edited by Julie Tereshchuk
Feature photo credit: Paul Finkel, Piston Design