Alejandro: Council Bluffs tutor

Certified Tutor

By Alejandro S. Alfaro, ARQ. M.A.P. LEED-AP
Over the past 35 years, I have dedicated my life to shaping the built environment through architecture that is sustainable, socially responsible, and deeply rooted in place. My journey began in Mexico, where I faced the challenge of designing affordable housing and urban infrastructure that could withstand the region's unique climate and socio-economic conditions. This experience shaped my approach to architecture and expanded internationally to include hospitals, airports, civic centers, and large-scale mixed-use developments. Across every career phase from leading sustainable design certifications to coordinating complex international projects, I have been guided by a core belief: that architecture is not just about buildings but about preserving and improving nature, lives, and the built environment.
As Executive Director of Enerphilia Global Sustainability Consultants, and through prior roles at other US and Mexican A&E companies, I have worked across borders, cultures, and disciplines. In these roles, I've learned the importance of collaboration, working with engineers, urban planners, and local communities to deliver LEED-certified, highly efficient projects such as hospitals, airports, corporate offices, residential, industrial, etc., or envisioning regenerative cities. My focus has always been on balancing innovation and automation with environmental and social impact.
To students entering this field: architecture is a journey, a passion more than a profession; it's a responsibility and a commitment to excel. Design with empathy, a quality that will connect you with the people you design for, think across scales, and, more importantly, remember that the greatest legacy you can leave is a world better built for those who come after you.