Taller Ken on Managing Its ‘Nomadic’ Practice

In this podcast episode, principals Inés Guzmán and Gregory Melitonov discuss how they operate across three countries and the annual design-build initiative that unites them.

1 MIN READ

Cedrick Arenales/Cobra Branding Studio

With operations and personnel scattered across Guatemala City, Guatemala, San José, Costa Rica, and New York City, the seven-person Taller Ken may appear to be spread thin. But for founders Inés Guzmán and Gregory Melitonov, this nomadic approach to collaboration and design has been integral to their whimsical and community-focused work.

In this podcast episode, the duo discuss how they manage projects across borders and their firm’s annual design build initiative, Fundamental, which brings together volunteer designers from around the world for three months to conceptualize and build an architectural intervention in a public space.

Episode 41: Taller Ken Managing Its “Nomadic” Practice, featuring Inés Guzmán and Gregory Melitonov, is also available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and GooglePlay.

As part of Taller Ken’s ongoing design/build initiatives, student volunteers assembled the firm’s Playa Chomo temporary canopy in three months, creating a space made of recycled elastic ribbons for cultural events, concerts, and community engagement in Guatemala City.

courtesy Taller Ken

As part of Taller Ken’s ongoing design/build initiatives, student volunteers assembled the firm’s Playa Chomo temporary canopy in three months, creating a space made of recycled elastic ribbons for cultural events, concerts, and community engagement in Guatemala City.

To learn more about Taller Ken, read its Next Progressives profile. This podcast episode was produced by Katharine Keane and Robert Grauert.

About the Author

Katharine Keane

Katharine Keane is the former senior associate editor of technology, practice, and products for ARCHITECT and Architectural Lighting. She graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in French literature, and minors in journalism and economics. Previously, she wrote for Preservation magazine. Follow her on Twitter.

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