Architect and artist Teddy Cruz impliments the idea of design by creating affordable housing in situations that are involved with constant conflict. He has spent a number of years studying the growing divisions and inequalities evident in the neighboring communities of tijuana and san diego in the region spanning the US/mexico border. His research is based on non profit associations that are juxtaposed to the hirearchy of formal institutions such as governments and universities. Through a grass roots approach, Cruz states that informal spontaneous developments in places that have a scarcity of materials can be some of the most valuable in design and function of housing and gentrification. The implementation of recycled materials and also a keen eye of observing new spacial availabilities allow Cruz to create viable solutions to urban policy alongside affordable sustainable housing.
