My most treasured memories come from three places: a family farm that I spent every weekend at as a child, my family’s pallet manufacturing facility, and my grandmother’s home in Cuernavaca, Morelos. Growing up I was constantly surrounded by the rich colors and smells of dirt, lumber, and Mexican home cooking. I am to this day inspired by those senses and memories. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with an emphasis in Architecture + Interior Architecture, but also in Designed Objects, Furniture Making, Sculpture, and Painting. Shortly after graduating in 2012, I founded Estudio Estelle, a design practice working in Chicago, Arizona, and Mexico City. At the same time, I began running TOP, Inc. working aside my forever mentor and colleague, my brother. My interest and passion for manufacturing, lumber, and providing a material that is essential to our economy are constantly evolving. I received my Masters of Architecture in 2020 from my alma mater, SAIC, and am continuously merging my experience as CEO of TOP Pallets, as a cross-disciplinary entrepreneur and artist. I believe that innovations discovered through the process of design and construction can be applied to projects of any scale, use, or purpose.My work strives to enhance our sense of surroundings, identity, and relationship to materials and the physical spaces we inhabit.