Meet Nelson Dieguez-Suarez | Architectural designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nelson Dieguez-Suarez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nelson, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own architecture company was both a personal and professional journey. Coming from Cuba, I arrived with a different language, culture, and design perspective, but also with a strong desire to build something of my own. Early on, I realized that design is not just about structures, it’s about identity and adaptation. I wanted to merge the creativity and passion I brought from my background with the precision and innovation I found here in the U.S.

The thought process started from a simple but powerful idea: if I could bring together talent, discipline, and a fresh visual language, I could create a firm that stands out through design quality and authenticity. I didn’t want to just work for projects, I wanted to shape them, to make every client feel that architecture could express character, story, and emotion.

Of course, the decision also came with challenges, language, networking, understanding regulations, and proving myself in a new environment. But those challenges became fuel. I learned to communicate through drawings when words were harder, and eventually, design became my universal language.

Building my own company was never just about independence, it was about creating a space where ideas, culture, and craft could meet. It’s about showing that no matter where you come from, good design speaks for itself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is architecture, but for me, it’s much more than designing buildings. It’s about telling stories through form, light, and material. I’ve always believed that good architecture should connect emotionally with people, not just functionally. It should make someone feel something, comfort, curiosity, identity, belonging. That’s what drives my work every day.

I’m most proud of the fact that I built something from scratch, Rohe Architecture, a studio that represents not just projects, but a philosophy, that design quality, collaboration, and authenticity matter. Every client we work with feels that dedication, because our process is very personal.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned?
Patience and persistence, great design and great opportunities take time.
Adaptability, every challenge is a chance to evolve.
Stay true to your identity, even when you adapt to new cultures or trends, your story is your strength.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is simple, Rohe Architecture is built on passion and creativity. It’s proof that even when you come from a small island with big dreams, if you stay consistent, you can build something meaningful. My goal is to keep creating spaces that inspire, not just through beauty, but through purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I’m not the kind of person who plans a full itinerary, I like to improvise. The best experiences usually happen when you just go with the flow. So if my best friend came to visit, we’d probably start somewhere random, maybe grab coffee in Montrose and see where the day takes us.

Houston is one of those cities where every corner has something interesting, a good bar, a cool art spot, or a view you didn’t expect. We might end up walking through The Heights, checking out local shops, or driving around looking at architecture and new developments. I love showing people little hidden places, rooftops, quiet cafés, or small restaurants that don’t show up on guides but have the best food.

At night, we’d probably go find good music, maybe a rooftop lounge, or a place where people actually dance a little. The plan is usually simple, eat well, laugh, talk about design, and enjoy the city. That’s it.

For me, the best way to show someone Houston is not with a schedule, it’s by showing them how you live there. The energy, the food, the creativity, the mix of cultures, that’s what I’d want them to feel.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely !
I’ve been very fortunate to have people and experiences that shaped who I am today. First, I have to give credit to my family. Leaving Cuba and starting over in another country wasn’t easy, and their support , even from miles away or closer, they gave me the strength to keep moving forward. They taught me the value of hard work, humility, and persistence, which became the foundation for everything I do.

Professionally, I’m grateful to the colleagues and mentors who believed in me when I was still learning the language and adapting to a new system. They gave me opportunities to grow, to make mistakes, and to learn how the architectural process works here in the U.S. Those early lessons were priceless.

And finally, I’d say a big shoutout goes to the clients who believed in us from the beginning, the ones who saw potential beyond the accent or the new name. Their confidence allowed me to prove that design has no borders, and that architecture can be both universal and deeply personal.

Website: https://www.rohearchitecture.com/

Instagram: rohearchitecture

Image Credits
ROHE ARCHITECTURE