Meet Ramiro Losada-amor

We recently connected with Ramiro Losada-amor and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ramiro, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

My purpose is design and creation, although I didn’t always understand it that way from the beginning. I started my journey studying construction engineering, but upon completing it, I decided to continue with architecture. It was then that I discovered a fundamental part of myself: the need to create.

For me, architecture is much more than building; it is a discipline that combines creation, philosophy, and art. It’s about thinking and creating, imagining solutions beyond the conventional. This understanding didn’t come to me immediately, but as I progressed in my studies, I realized that the creative process was essential to my personal and professional development.

I recalled moments in my life where creativity had taken center stage. For example, during summer camps, I enjoyed designing and painting T-shirts, a passion I carried on at home. During my teenage years, I decorated my school binders with small murals depicting cities and imagined worlds. These memories helped me connect the dots: my passion for design and creativity has been a constant throughout my life.

Today, my purpose is rooted in that creative spark—in thinking outside the box and using architecture and the design of Granny Flats or ADUs as a tool to imagine and bring to life unique solutions that improve people’s lives

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the co-founder of Modern Granny Flat, an architectural design firm specializing in the creation of ADUs or Granny Flats, primarily in San Diego, though we also work in other parts of California. We focus on modern, sustainable, and flexible designs, always striving to think outside the box to create spaces that evoke unique sensations and can be enjoyed in everyday life.

Many of the projects we design are not large in size, but we apply flexibility techniques that allow us to maximize functionality without compromising design. We incorporate a modern architectural language with clean lines, sustainable materials, and innovative elements that transform spaces into versatile and dynamic environments. These strategies enable users to live and enjoy their space in unique and personalized ways.

All of this is achieved without compromising the budget. We work closely with our clients and the contractor to deliver solutions that not only meet their functional and aesthetic needs but also align with their financial possibilities

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most important qualities as an architectural designer for the type of projects we develop are:
– creativity,
– technical knowledge,
– adaptability.

Creativity allows us to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions that fit within the budget without compromising design or functionality. Technical knowledge ensures that our projects comply with California’s building codes, guaranteeing both feasibility and safety. Finally, adaptability enables us to tailor our approach to the specific needs of each client and project, optimizing resources and ensuring efficiency in the execution of the design.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

One of the greatest challenges I currently face as an architectural designer of Granny Flats or ADUs is helping clients understand and emotionally connect with the experience of living in the spaces we design.

We can create blueprints, 3D renderings, and even use virtual reality goggles to show them how the space of the ADU will look. However, there is something that goes beyond the visual: the feeling. How do we convey that the large door connecting the interior and exterior will flood their mornings with sunlight as they enjoy breakfast barefoot on the carefully chosen wooden floor? Or that a skylight in the ceiling will allow them to get lost in the sky while reading a book in bed?

These sensations, so intimate and personal, cannot always be conveyed through technological tools. Sometimes, a reference photo or an honest conversation about how they want to feel in the ADU or house can be more powerful than any rendering. My ongoing challenge is to translate those emotions into designs that not only look beautiful but are lived in a way that is unique, personal, and out of the box.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moderngrannyflat.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderngrannyflat
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernGrannyFlatSD