Loreta Castro: Healing Cities Through Water Infrastructure

Loreta Castro Reguera, co-founder of Taller Capital, transforms water infrastructure into public spaces to heal fractured urban landscapes. Trained at UNAM, the Academy of Architecture of Mendrisio, and Harvard GSD, she views architecture as a tool for social design and resilience. Taller Capital, founded in 2010 with José Pablo Ambrosi, balances commercial real estate with urban research. In Mexico City's conflict-ridden basin, the firm designs decentralized water infrastructure rather than ornamental parks. Castro Reguera employs a horizontal, dialogue-based methodology she calls a 'feminine strategy,' weaving parallel networks instead of competing in a male-dominated field. Over 15 years, she has taught at UNAM, UCLA, and Harvard GSD. Her practice is inspired by Peter Zumthor and Louise Bourgeois, aiming to improve living conditions and create equitable cities. She also practices embroidery as a creative counterpoint to construction's technical hardness.