Previously, as the Director of Standards Development and Sustainability Initiatives at TCNA, he led efforts to create industry-wide Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for ceramic tiles, mortars, and grouts, as well as a one-of-a-kind Material Ingredient Guide for the tile industry.

Griese also leads the TCNA Green Initiative Committee, composed of 80 representatives from 50 different organizations, which was responsible for developing Green Squared®, the first standard and certification program for sustainable tiles and installation materials. In addition to his role at TCNA, Griese serves as the 2024 Chair of the ASTM International Board of Directors, Chair of the Flooring Sustainability Summit, an active participant in the World Ceramic Tile Forum, and a U.S. delegate to various global standardization initiatives.

She has given several lectures, participated in television programs, and her interior design work has been published in various books, newspapers, and magazines. She has designed furniture for different companies and is a member of various international architecture and interior design societies. She has received multiple awards for her work as an interior designer, the most recent being: the ‘Jalisco Architecture Award 2023, Sub-category: Interior Architecture’ for CASA MAGNOLIA, ‘Best Living Space Americas 2022’ for CASA GALO, and ‘Best Residential Interior Private Residence Mexico 2021’ for CASA MA.

Her company’s mission is to transform spaces inspired by the dreams, style, and essence of individuals to improve their quality of life.

Bernardo envisioned ARCO Arquitectura Contemporánea as an innovative group dedicated to real estate development and interior architecture. The team believes that true architecture evolves from the pursuit of satisfying user needs through a language that shapes and expresses intent in an aesthetic and functional result. With the incorporation of new partners and their experience—both in Mexico and abroad—the company’s growth is reflected in its quality, transparency, personalized service, and continuous support.

ARCO’s projects are a combination of shapes, colors, and textures that go beyond merely fulfilling a function. Their spaces have a unique language in which materials, beyond providing structure, become expressive elements. In our designs, we combine spatial experience, aesthetic value, and the fulfillment of needs to transform a construction into an architectural outcome.

In the corporate sector, they are about to reach two million square meters of Class A office space. To give you an idea: along with their team, they have designed more than 75% of the Fortune 500 companies in Mexico, Central America, and Asia. In the shopping center segment, they have designed more than 25 centers. In the hotel sector, they have completed 38 projects across various chains in Mexico, Central America, and South America.

Claudia Espinoza

TRUE Zero Waste Manager & Assessor. Bachelor’s degree in Architecture & Certificate in Lighting Design.

Claudia graduated with honors from Universidad Iberoamericana with a degree in Architecture. She received a certificate in Lighting Design in London and is a certified consultant in True Zero Waste.

She has worked as a lighting designer and sustainability consultant, specifically in the area of zero waste, on over 200 projects around the world, including the UK, Spain, the UAE, Tunisia, the United States, and Mexico. With over 7 years of experience working in London and 10 years in Mexico City, she has consulted on projects with hotel groups such as One&Only, Radisson, Sheraton, Rosewood, and boutique hotels, as well as residential homes, offices, and urban design projects like plazas and parks.

Some projects have involved lighting design and waste management to achieve Zero Waste or LEED certification. Being part of the ECOstudio XV team has helped expand her experience in sustainability by participating in LEED, BREEAM, and Net Zero projects.

His more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur have helped him build successful work teams around this goal. Beyond his strictly professional life, he dedicates much of his free time to this field, making it his hobby to search, study, and learn about everything related to the fascinating world of design and architecture as disciplines of expression and solutions to contemporary societal problems.

He is part of the management team at Podio, a speaker at prominent forums, a professor in the graduate division of the Faculty of Architecture at UNAM, and a member of the advisory board of MODO, Museo del Objeto del Objeto. He has also been invited multiple times to serve as a judge in prestigious national design and architecture competitions. Since 2019, he has been the Director of Experience at Obra Blanca.

She has worked as a lighting designer and sustainability consultant, specifically in the area of zero waste, on over 200 projects around the world, including the UK, Spain, the UAE, Tunisia, the United States, and Mexico.

With over 7 years of work experience in London and 10 years in Mexico City, she has consulted on projects with hotel groups such as One&Only, Radisson, Sheraton, Rosewood, and boutique hotels, as well as residential homes, offices, and urban design projects like plazas and parks.

Some projects have focused on lighting design, while others have involved waste management to achieve Zero Waste or LEED certification. Being part of the ECOstudio XV team has helped expand her sustainability experience through participation in LEED, BREEAM, and Net Zero projects.

Starting with rain as the principle of water, he has specialized in rainwater harvesting for potable use as a real and efficient alternative for understanding the hydrological cycle within reach of users. However, recycling and reusing wastewater complement this approach by further closing the water cycle, creating a circular economy of water. This includes nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands to consolidate the ecosystem benefits of sustainable water management, contributing to the recovery of biological diversity in our cities and territories.

In the realm of sustainable resource management and climate change mitigation, he has promoted the use of renewable and responsibly sourced materials like wood within his architecture. This approach supports the recovery of original forest ecosystems, such as much of the Mexican Neovolcanic Belt, as a potential carbon capture mechanism to create our future cities, fostering the growth of water and biodiverse forests.

Jesús has primarily worked in the field of sustainable project management, with experience including corporate offices, vertical residential housing, education, and retail. He has successfully managed the coordination of LEED, EDGE, WELL, and PCES projects with international clients in Mexico, overseeing communication and sustainable best practices. He holds various courses in project management and cost engineering.

He is currently the Vice President of SUMe, Sustainability for Mexico, A.C., and also serves as a speaker at various sustainability-related fairs and exhibitions.

• 2002: Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences, UNAM/CNRS France
• 1996: Master’s in Chemical Engineering Processes, UNAM
• 1993: Chemical Engineering, UNAM
• 1996 – 2006: Researcher at the Research and Development Center, GIRSA
• 2007 – 2011: Director of Technological Development, CONACYT
• 2011: Joined COMEX as Director of Innovation, coordinating the Innovation Committee. Implemented the Innovation Model, overseeing the management of the research and development project portfolio at the Polymer Research Center and Product and Process Development.
• 2014 – 2020: Held positions as Technical Director of Protective and Marine Coatings (PMC); 2017, Technical Director of PMC, LATAM; 2019, Technical Director Americas PMC at PPG Industries. Notable achievements include developing the R&D team at the Industrial Technological Innovation Center (CITI) and establishing a sustainable technological base for light maintenance and protection products with an annual sales value of $50 million USD, among others.
• Currently: Global Technical Director for Architectural Coatings and Traffic Solutions. Responsibilities include implementing the technological innovation strategy for products and processes and establishing commercial agreements with global clients and suppliers.

He has contributed to scientific publications and received significant recognitions. Leopoldo is known for his leadership and empathy with his team, focusing on achieving objectives and the professional growth of those who work with him.

Xavier has developed a career as an Architect and Sustainability Consultant, participating in over 700 projects both nationally and internationally. With more than 20 years of experience, he worked at firms such as Richard Rogers Partnership, Cullinan Studio, and ECD Research & Environment before founding ECOstudio® in London and Mexico.

Xavier is a registered and qualified advisor, holding certifications as EDGE Expert, EDGE Auditor, SAP, SBEM, BREEAM EcoHomes, EPC, Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH), and LEED® AP BD+C. His environmental projects and consultancies are known for combining technical expertise in environmental and bioclimatic issues with aesthetic expression and celebration.

He has certified over 75 projects, advised more than 100 fully passive buildings, and worked on a dozen Zero Emissions projects.

Xavier is currently a professor at IBERO within the La Catedra Blanca Cemex.