We recently connected with Ofelia Viloche and have shared our conversation below.

Ofelia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Is there a lesson you learned in school that’s stuck with you and has meaningfully impacted your journey?

I went to architecture school, and I really didn’t know how difficult, exhausting, challenging, and demanding it would be. Now, I understand it was part of the process. But during my years in school, I couldn’t see it. What I appreciate the most about school was not only the classes, but also how strict and challenging every step was, so that even when I thought I could not keep going, a built-in resilience and skills to face problems were growing.

Ofelia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Ofelia Viloche, and I have a background in architecture and a significant interest in the merging of technology and sustainability. After I finished school, I was really interested in the Fab Labs community, and that is where I developed an interest in digital fabrication. At the same time, I took courses and a diploma in landscaping to complement my knowledge. Bo.Ve was the first company that another architect and I, with the same crazy spirit, created in 2015, providing solutions in architecture, landscaping, and interior design, combining digital fabrication (such as 3D printers and CNC machines) with sustainable design to deliver projects that meet every need and specific requirements. We were dedicated to developing solutions for a “different landscaping”, mainly targeting users with limited available space for greenery, both indoors and outdoors. Bo.We created landscape projects on diverse budgets, prioritizing low-water-use species to achieve a circular design with the client. Some other projects focused on disruptive furniture that blends with existing design, while standing out. There was an interesting project in which we commercialized a modular vertical garden that could be assembled in various configurations and adapted to your needs. I came to the US to pursue my MFA in design with an emphasis in sustainability. While in my master I developed a project focused in highlighting the power of nature through a clay 3d printed water filter and a mini constructed wetland as a system of water filtration for rural communities. This project was the culmination of two years of research and exploration, and received interest not only from viewers but also from researchers and engineers.
Right now, I am pursuing a second Master’s in Energy Systems, hoping to combine all my previous experience and skills with technical and engineering analysis to move to the next stage of creation. My project right now focuses on 3D printing roofs using a more sustainable, lower-carbon process.
My career and projects throughout my professional life were quite diverse, but I always stayed in the realm of sustainable, efficient solutions, and want to stay in this route for longer

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Sofia, my partner in crime in my past company, I met her in architecture school. We had different classes in school, but we were friends and part of the same circle. It was exciting because, after school, in the same period, we both trained ourselves in landscaping at different institutions, and we just discovered this almost at the end of our diplomas. So when we finished our programs, we were both eager to apply what we had learned, and that’s how the adventure began. We complemented each other quite well when we decided to create the company. She had more expertise with species selection and their adaptation to the designs, and I had more expertise with technology and manufacturing. I was the one closing deals, and she was in charge of project follow-up. perfect match

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Definitely, when you get recommendations after doing a great job, word of mouth is the most significant source of clients. Just confirming we did a great job. In my late individual projects, I have received several congratulatory emails from people who didn’t know me, but saw my exhibition. I feel the best way is to do a good job and clients will come. But it is also essential to have a strong network that can guide where to search for clients and where to advertise.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: oviloche
• Facebook: oviloche
• Linkedin: ofeliavilochepulido
• Other: Working on finishing my porfolio website. Soon to be published