Henry Ponce: 30 years preserving Mérida’s modern soul

Henry Ponce has spent three decades crafting a vision that goes far beyond architecture and design. “I would love to be remembered as somebody who really loved the city and worked to try to make the city better,” he reflects, encapsulating a career dedicated to more than just constructing buildings.

Ponce’s path to architecture was anything but predetermined. Growing up in a family of seven children – three boys and four girls – he had no immediate connection to design. “My dad works in insurance, so I didn’t have any connection, period,” he explains. Yet, even as a child, he was inexplicably drawn to construction sites. “I even made friends with the albañiles, and they used to teach me how to mix concrete. So I enjoyed it so much that I even made my own mixes with concrete at home.”

His early experiences with the Boy Scouts further shaped his design sensibilities. 

“I was in Boy Scouts for 13 years,” Ponce recalls. “They used to do construction fests, and I used to get all these prizes from doing construction just with sticks – like campgrounds, gates, scenes, bedding in trees.” These early experiences were more than just childhood play. They were the first inklings of his architectural approach.

When it came time to choose a career, mathematics played a crucial role. “I was doing good in mathematics, and the only career I thought of that was related to mathematics was architecture,” he says. But it was more complex than just numbers. “I’m more into the creative part,” Ponce adds, revealing the dual nature of his architectural passion.

Local architecture trends during Ponce’s early career was dominated by historical mimicry: new construction designed to recreate a hacienda or Colonial home. “Building something new that looks old,” as Ponce puts it. Commercially, developers were creating what he describes as cookie-cutter developments with tile roofs and imitative styles.

But Ponce found inspiration in maverick Mexican architects who defied these trends. “Luis Barragan represents clean lines,” he explains. “But more importantly, his architecture talks about our culture, which is interesting. He was one of the most successful architects of his period, but at the same time, he was connected to our traditions and culture.”

A pivotal moment came with a project that would define his career. 

“I had a friend who was an investor,” Ponce recalls, “and he said, ‘Why don’t you buy a house and do whatever you want?’” 

The result was a transformative project on Calle 64 – a bold reimagining of a traditional space. “We did a loft that kept the only two original rooms with wood beams and big doors and high ceilings,” he says. “Everything else, I tore down and made my own version.”

The project was a critical success, earning multiple awards and attracting clients who sought something different. “We got a gold medal in the Biennial in Yucatán, a silver medal nationally, and I got a lot of work from people coming with magazine articles saying, ‘We want a house like this.’”

Over the decades, Ponce’s approach has become increasingly refined. “More and more these days, it’s very hard for me to include things that don’t have any reason to be in a project,” he explains. “If it’s there, it has to have a function.” This philosophy extends to traditional design elements like breeze walls. “A Mexican breeze wall has to have a reason to be there,” he insists. He eschews decorative elements like water features. 

His current project in Col. Chuburná, the Centro de Arte & Diseño de Yucatán, better known as CADY, represents a culmination of his architectural philosophy. “We’re creating a community related to that lifestyle – people that care about art, design, good food, and good living,” Ponce explains. The complex of 59 units, integrated with an art center, reflects his belief that architecture is about creating environments, not just buildings.

As he reaches 30 years in practice, Ponce is working on a book that will document Mérida’s architectural evolution. “It will talk about the importance of preserving historical architecture in the city,” he says, “but also show my work after all these years.” When discussing Mid-century architecture, Ponce becomes particularly passionate. 

“It’s not just about architecture – it’s about a style of life and philosophy,” he explains. “After the Second World War and the Industrial Revolution, everything changed. Electric appliances came.  The concept of residential complexes changed. It was a revolution in the way people live.”

His approach is fundamentally about creating timeless design. “Good architecture is timeless,” Ponce argues. “If you do something just because it’s fashionable now, in a few years, it will look out of date. But when you do something based on function, without copying, just following the concept of your project – that’s what matters.”

Despite the challenges of promoting modern design in a city often resistant to change, Ponce remains optimistic. “I think we’re getting to the point that people are learning,” he says. “But we need to put more effort. Architects, especially senior architects, have to talk about the importance of saving this architecture – architecture that talks about the history of our city.”

As he reflects on 30 years of practice, Ponce’s message is clear: architecture is about more than buildings. It’s about understanding a place, its people, and its potential. “I want to show that the city is not just the historic district,” he says. “There’s so much more to explore.”

About the firm

Henry Ponce’s services encompass architecture design, construction, interior design, property management, and real estate sales.

www.henryponce.com

www.hponcehomes.com

@hponcearquitectos 

@hponcehomes 

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