We were lucky to catch up with Alejandro Acebal Canney recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alejandro, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope to be remembered not just for the buildings I designed, but for the way those spaces made people feel inspired, connected, and at ease. My legacy, I believe, lies in creating environments that go beyond trends or conventions. I’ve always been drawn to doing things differently, approaching each project with a mindset that challenges the norm and looks for unexpected solutions that bring architecture to life in bold, meaningful ways.

A defining part of my work has been the pursuit of harmony between structure and nature. I believe the built environment should not fight against the natural world, but rather live in synergy with it. Whether it’s integrating organic materials, working with natural light, or blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors, I strive to design spaces that feel like they belong both to their environment and to the people who inhabit them.

Through my firm, I aim to build a legacy of creativity and human-centered design. I want to be remembered as someone who wasn’t afraid to take risks in service of something timeless. And if 100 years from now, people are still gathering, living, or dreaming inside spaces we helped shape and still feeling something from them then I’ll know we did it right.

Alejandro, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Alejandro Acebal Canney, founder of Acebal Canney Arquitectos & Asociados, an architecture studio born from a deep passion for creating spaces that defy convention and bring bold ideas to life. Originally from Mexico, my journey into architecture began with a fascination for how spaces shape human experience. I pursued my education at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, where I earned a Bachelor in Architecture with a Minor in Architectural Engineering, and later became a proud member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). With over 15 years of experience, I specialize in architectural and interior design, construction consulting, and real estate development, leading a multidisciplinary team that shares my obsession for detail, innovation, and artistic rigor. At our firm, we believe architecture should challenge expectations—we’re known for pushing boundaries to design high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects that are as functional as they are iconic.

Our portfolio includes landmark developments like city hotels, beach resorts, luxury residences and masterplans, and what sets us apart is a relentless drive to make ideas happen, not just imagining them. This philosophy—etched on the wall of my studio—guides every project we take on. What I’m most proud of is the trust clients place in us to turn ambitious visions into reality, and the reputation we’ve earned for turning bold thinking into built legacy.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

For a significant part of my early professional life, I wasn’t practicing architecture, I was working as a real estate developer. My focus was on building projects that made money. I wasn’t creating, I wasn’t designing, I was chasing financial success. And for a while, that seemed like the right path.
Then the 2008 housing crisis hit. The development I was working on collapsed, and I lost everything. I had no money, heavy debts, and no clear path forward. It was one of the hardest moments of my life but also the most transformative.

That failure forced me to confront a deeper truth: I had spent years running away from what I was truly meant to do. I had trained to be an architect. I had always been a creator at heart. But I had set that aside in pursuit of something I thought I should want. In that moment, I made the decision to return to what I loved to do: start creating again, not just for clients, but for humanity.

When I made that pivot from chasing money to giving into my talent through architecture, everything changed. I began designing from a place of passion and authenticity. I stopped running after opportunities and started attracting them instead. The same success I had once chased with no luck came naturally once I was doing what I was truly meant to do.

That shift didn’t just rebuild my career; it realigned my entire life. And it’s a lesson I carry with me in every project: when you give your gift wholeheartedly, the world also gives back.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

For me, every project begins with understanding not just a client’s needs, but who they are. When someone asks you to design their home or their business, they’re inviting you into their vision, their dreams, their routines, even their personal quirks. That level of trust creates a real bond.

As I design, I start to see the space through their eyes. I learn what brings them comfort, what inspires them, how they want to live or work. And because of that, I often feel deeply connected to the people I design for. Many times, after a project is finished, I’m honored to be the first guest invited to a dinner in the new space, not as their architect, but as someone who helped bring a dream to life.

I believe when the relationship is managed with care, the connection becomes more than professional, it becomes personal. I aim to keep that relationship alive not with formal check-ins, but through genuine friendship. That’s why many of my clients become collaborators on future projects or refer others who share their trust. When you help create a space where someone truly belongs, that feeling is hard to forget and it naturally keeps the bond strong.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.acebalcanney.com/
• Instagram: @acebal_canney
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ac-arquitectos-asociados/posts/?feedView=all

Image Credits

Renders by Polygon Studio Lab (Instagram: polygonslab)

Photos by Fabiana Ocando Gámez (Instagram: canaypunto)