Meet Margarita Gonzalez | Architectural Designer and Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Margarita Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margarita, what inspires you?
During architecture school, my favorite courses were those on the history of Modern Architecture. I’ve always been fascinated by the movement’s quest—both intellectually and technically—not only to create affordable housing that was hygienic and comfortable, but also to educate the public, shift cultural mindsets, and reimagine the built environment as a joyful, enriching space to live in. Today, we often take those ideas for granted, but I was deeply inspired by that vision. It ultimately led me to become both a researcher and a professor. My goal today is to design architecture for all income levels—finding as much joy in creating custom homes as I do in developing thoughtful, affordable solutions. I also genuinely enjoy teaching architecture as much as I enjoy practicing it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Architecture is always a way to connect with others—not only to deliver excellent results to clients, but also to contribute to the community as a whole. It has a long-lasting impact. A poorly designed or unattractive building can outlive its owner, which is why, in my view, architectural design carries a moral responsibility. A building should be aesthetically pleasing, well constructed, environmentally responsible, and community friendly.

Because the construction process is so essential to achieving a successful outcome, I truly enjoy the Construction Administration phase of my work. I’m fascinated by the compositions that construction reveals—the unique perspectives of a building’s framework and structural articulation. It’s amazing to witness what feels like the X-ray of a building in the process of becoming a home.

This deep appreciation for the building process is just one part of a broader architectural approach that reflects who I am. My firm combines this hands-on engagement with a design philosophy shaped by my multicultural background—including experiences living in seven different countries—and by solutions tailored specifically for the Colorado environment. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy to communicate the value of my unique perspective. Being new to Colorado made it challenging to find clients, and I had to build my network from scratch. I’m proud to be steadily growing a community of clients, colleagues, and friends who inspire me and help create the conditions for my practice to thrive. It’s a work in progress, and I’m enjoying every step of the journey.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m an extremely urban person, and I love living in busy, walkable neighborhoods. I’d start in Denver by showing you around my neighborhood. We’ll walk to Cherry Creek North and have a Latin American lunch at Toro—hopefully they’ll have Ajiaco as an aperitif and grilled octopus as the main course. After lunch, we’ll grab an ice cream at Heaven, maybe catch a movie or take a short stroll through Cherry Creek Mall, and end the day with happy hour at The Jacquard.
The next day, we’ll begin with coffee at Aviano, followed by a walk to the Denver Botanic Gardens, with a short stop at Congress Park. We’ll exit through Cheesman Park, walking straight down 12th Avenue to arrive early in the afternoon at the Denver Art Museum. We’ll likely be exhausted—and probably a little smelly—but we’ll close the day with dinner at The Ponti.
On day three, we’ll hop on our bikes and take the Cherry Creek Trail downtown for a quick walk through Larimer Square and the 16th Street Mall. We’ll have lunch at Chez Maggy. In the afternoon, we’ll relax by the Platte River at Confluence Park, make a mandatory stop at REI, and cross over the Highlands Bridge for an ice cream at Little Man. Then we’ll walk northwest along Boulder and Pecos Streets and enjoy an early dinner at Noisette—hopefully they’ll be serving Boeuf Bourguignon or cuisses de grenouille.
Day four will be another bike day, heading south along the Cherry Creek Trail to Cherry Creek Reservoir for a picnic and some paddleboarding. We’ll rest in the afternoon, then spend the evening at the Denver Performing Arts Center. Hopefully, there’ll be a ballet performance—I’m a big fan of Colorado Ballet.
On day five, we’ll take a hike to Washington Park and walk over to Gaylord Street for lunch at Raven’s Bar & Grill or Perdida. The afternoon will include a relaxing drive to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Lowry, ending the day with a short round of golf at Hangar Golf Club and a quick dinner at the Beer Garden.
Day six takes us to Morrison for a scenic hike, lunch at The Hungry Goat, and a memorable evening at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
On the final day, we’ll start with a drive to Union Station and have breakfast at Mercantile. Then I’ll send my guest off to the airport via the light rail. On the way, we’ll probably chat about their trip’s carbon footprint—and feel good knowing we had fun while also staying active and exploring Denver by foot and bike, which is pretty amazing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think of so many people around me who have shaped who I am today. My mom, without a doubt, is a strong, independent woman who taught me how to be resilient, engaged, and confident.
I also want to recognize the immense value of my mentor, Ron Faleide. He has been pivotal in my career as both an entrepreneur and architectural designer in Denver. Ron has guided me through the intricacies of the profession—from the precise use of language in legal contexts to the subtlety and sensitivity required in construction details. His academic background has provided a unique platform where I can engage in intellectually rich discussions, all while remaining grounded in the realities of architectural practice. That combination is rare, and in Ron Faleide, I have found it all.

Website: https://www.minidwell.com

Instagram: minidwell_colorado

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarita-gonzalez-6a15186/

Image Credits
All images by Minidwell (C)