Federación de Colegios de Arquitectos de la República Mexicana distinguishes two Mexican architects, Fernanda Canales and Frida Escobedo, who have been recognised as Honorary Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for 2026, acknowledging their significant contributions to contemporary architecture and their international impact.
Fernanda Canales
With nearly two decades of professional practice, Fernanda Canales is widely recognised as one of the most prominent architects of her generation in Mexico. Her work is characterised by a thoughtful approach to architecture that promotes the concept of inclusive cities and socially responsive design.
Among her most notable projects in Mexico City are the Centro Cultural Elena Garro in Coyoacán, the Invisible Pavilion, and Casa Maruma. In Valle de Bravo, she has designed projects such as Casa Terreno, Casa 720°, and Casa Bruma. These works are distinguished by their sensitive integration with the surrounding landscape, the use of local materials, sustainable strategies, and the fragmentation of building volumes to preserve existing vegetation.
Through her architectural practice, Canales continues to explore the relationship between architecture, landscape, and urban life.
Frida Escobedo
Architect Frida Escobedo has developed an internationally acclaimed body of work distinguished by its careful use of materials, vibrant colour palettes, rich textures, and the clarity of spatial expression. Her projects often reinterpret architectural traditions by combining local craftsmanship and cultural references with contemporary design.
In 2018, Escobedo gained worldwide recognition when she was commissioned to design the Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens, London, becoming the youngest architect to receive this prestigious commission.
In March 2022, she was selected to lead the expansion of the Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, one of the most significant contemporary museum projects currently underway.
In recognition of their achievements and influence in the field of architecture, both Fernanda Canales and Frida Escobedo have been honoured as Honorary Fellows of the AIA in 2026.
