TIJUANA.- Over the past few months -or even years- this border city has witnessed many "rebirths" after the worst days brought on by the economic crisis and drug war ravaged this city. Cuisine, nightlife, craft beer, technology, innovation, art and culture have all been products of this rebirth.

The economic recovery has caused another rebirth to occur, that of the real estate sector which was heavily affected by the crisis, and as we reported over the month ago is on the verge of a possible "boom", as was also reported by the magazine El Economista last week.

What is most important about this real estate rebirth in Tijuana is the fact that it comes hand-in-hand with artistic concerns as well. A new interest in minimalist architecture has surged in order to satisfy the local housing market's demands, and the demands for a better, yet affordable, lifestyle.

The New York Times, which appears to be the best friend of the city in recent reports, just a couple of weeks ago shared this insight with the world in an interview with two of the most representative architects in this recent movement: Alfonso Medina, a 31 year-old born in Texas but raised in Tijuana, and Jorge Gracia, a Tijuana architect and graduate of Tijuana's Universidad Iberoamericana, owner and founder of Gracia Studio.

Medina remarks that he and his partners at T38 Studio are focussed on the younger generation that is returning to the city, or are once again interested in investing in this city after many years of violence and economic struggles. This generation is looking for innovative, yet accessible, designs on smaller lot sizes than what their own parents built on.

"It is very safe now. It's living through a post-traumatic stage, and there is a very strong cultural boom," said Alfonso Medina, "the idea is that architecture is not only accessible to those people that can afford to commission it, but that it's available to a wider audience." Medina has designed 37 minimalist style houses over the past eight years, and is currently working on seven. The majority of these projects are for upper-middle class clients, but he notes that his designs can be adapted across all socioeconomic classes.

Meanwhile, Jorge Gracia tells the Times that at least twelve other architects are constructing minimalist style houses in the city, and he has personally designed fifty-five since 2004. He says, "I'm attracting young couples that want to build their first house, couples around 30 to 40 years old."

This year, Gracia is kicking off the Practical Architecture School in Tijuana (Escuela de Arquitectura Practica en Tijuana), after having spread his talent and designs all the way to Ensenada's wine country, Valle de Guadalupe, with his design of Hotel Endemico, recently named by the National Geographic Traveler as one of the best kept secrets in Mexico worth visiting.

This coming Friday, June 27, Creative Mornings Tijuana, will host Jorge Gracia in a discussion on the topic of the month: minimalism.

Jose.Sanchez@sandiegored.com

borderzonie@gmail.com