Founded in 1999, Tucson-based design and architecture firm Ibarra Rosano has been shaping desert-inspired spaces for over 35 years. With intricate designs that are rooted in the Southern Arizona community, founders Luis Ibarra and Teresa Rosano contribute to their hometown through stunning architecture.
“We were born here, and so we bring authenticity to our work,” Ibarra said. “We know where we are, we know what this place needs and what it’s about.”
Ibarra and Rosano met in college while studying architecture at the University of Arizona. Upon graduation, they decided to stay in the area and start their own business.
“The mission is really to produce the best work that we can within the limits and make sure it’s responsible and responsive to the environment that we build in,” Ibarra said. “Sensitive to the sites that we propose for and also sensitive to the culture of people and the places that we are inhabiting.”
From the inception of Ibarra Rosano, the pair decided to showcase a boutique firm, operating with a limited number of people to allow for maximum focus on each project they undertake. The design team for any project can range from as few as two people to as many as eight, but typically consists of around four.
“We swell in and out based on the economy and how much work there is to do, but we’re always careful not to take on too much work because we just want to make sure that we are delivering the best work that we can to each client and site,” Ibarra said.
The company has a standardized workflow and approaches each project in a consistent manner. Initially, they meet with the client, visit the site several times, and then begin developing the project through a process of consideration.
“One of the things that we pride ourselves on is that we’re trying to solve the puzzle,” Ibarra said. “We’re looking for the puzzle first. So, we’re looking for the client and the site and the opportunities and the mismatches, because the mismatches are the opportunities oftentimes.”
Throughout each process at Ibarra Rosano, designers seek a “puzzle piece” that ties multiple elements of the design together clearly and cohesively. From there, the firm uses that piece to find the other parts of the puzzle that complement it and fit together. Each final product suits both the site and the client’s needs in a way that feels unique, creating a space for work, life, and leisure.
“We’re trying to avoid trendy decisions and things that are temporary and looking for things that are of substance and authenticity,” Ibarra said. “I see the same ethic and philosophy behind the work, but not necessarily a certain style per se.”
When considering a new site, Ibarra Rosano emphasizes the existing landscape around the location and finding a style that suits that specific area. As a Tucson-based firm run by Tucson natives, Ibarra Rosano was honored to be shortlisted for the construction of a memorial commemorating a shocking event that occurred in the city in January 2011. While the firm did not win the final award, it was runner-up in the competition.
“We’re still very proud of that one, I think, because it’s very different and it’s for the community, it’s not for a specific client, but it’s for everybody,” Ibarra said. “That made us feel very honored and very responsible. It’s one of those projects that didn’t happen, but we’re still proud of it.”
The memorial was a departure from the residential projects that characterize most of Ibarra Rosano’s portfolio, allowing the firm to innovate and design a structure that would stand the test of time in a meaningful way.
“We’re not coming with preset expectations to deliver,” Ibarra said. “We have expectations for ourselves in being professional and delivering high-quality work, but we approach every project with an open mind.”
Through decades of experience, Ibarra Rosano combines modern design techniques with Tucson’s unique flair to create timeless architectural pieces that perfectly suit the Southern Arizona landscape.
“It’s really about how well it belongs here,” Ibarra said. “It’s rooted in the realities and the joys and discoveries of this place, as opposed to trying to do too much.”
For more information, visit ibarrarosano.com.
