Julio LAU of MIami on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Julio LAU . Check out our conversation below.

Hi Julio, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I design, time disappears. I immerse myself in the creative process — in the materials, the forms, the light — and everything else fades away. Creating reconnects me with myself, with my essence. In that moment, I find meaning, balance, and freedom.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Julio Lau Borrayo, I’m a Cuban architect based in Miami and the founder of Studio BAS, a practice that approaches architecture as a form of art. Our work focuses on custom homes and interior design, where every line, material, and space is crafted to evoke emotion and identity.

At the moment, we’re immersed in an exciting new project — the development of our own furniture and lighting design line. Although it’s still recent, it represents a meaningful evolution for us. We believe that being able to create architecture and also produce custom, handcrafted pieces adds a new dimension to our work, enriching each project with greater artistic and material value.

For us at Studio BAS, architecture is not just about building — it’s about designing experiences, shaping atmospheres, and giving form to emotion.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that truly changed the way I see the world was the loss of my younger brother. He was not only my family, but also my best friend and my greatest inspiration. His passing transformed the way I understand time, purpose, and creation.

In recent years, I’ve immersed myself in diverse fields — from philosophy and quantum and classical physics to contemporary art. All of this has strengthened the way I perceive every material, color, and texture I use in my projects. I see them as energy — each element emits a vibration that influences how we feel and interact with space.

I deeply believe in life as energy, in the way it shapes our mood and state of mind. That belief is the reason behind my passion for green architecture, where nature and vegetation become an essential part of the design — not as decoration, but as a living, breathing component that restores harmony between humans and their surroundings.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering is a great teacher. It teaches us to value life and to appreciate what we already have — which is often much more than we realize. It’s a painful and inevitable master, one that we should learn to understand from childhood. If we grew up knowing that suffering is part of life, we would learn to appreciate happiness more deeply.

In my own experience, I’ve learned that resilience is the key to walking hand in hand with suffering. It allows us to endure, to transform pain into strength, and to continue creating even when life challenges us. Suffering, when embraced with understanding, becomes not a burden — but a path toward wisdom and balance.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Many intelligent people today mistake intelligence for wisdom. Intelligence can analyze, calculate, and solve — it operates through logic and knowledge. But wisdom comes from experience, empathy, and self-awareness.

True wisdom isn’t about how much we know, but about how deeply we understand. It’s the ability to pause, to listen, to recognize our own limits, and to act with compassion and humility.

Intelligence can build extraordinary things — but only wisdom can give them meaning. Without that balance, knowledge becomes sterile, disconnected from life itself.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I deeply understand that I know nothing — except my own reality. My opinions, my actions, and my thoughts are all rooted in my personal experiences.

We often believe we see the world as it is, but in truth, we see it as we are. Everything we perceive is filtered through our emotions, memories, and beliefs.

Understanding this brings humility. It reminds me that every person lives in their own universe of meaning — and that true understanding begins when we stop trying to be right, and start trying to see.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studiobas.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiobas_architects
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17SfCvX9fN/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@studiobas_architects

Image Credits
Nuñez Residence