Marco Ortiz

Marco brings over 25 years of architectural expertise to his role as Director EMEA at Rafael Viñoly Architects, a position he has held since 2024. With a comprehensive track record spanning commercial, residential, cultural and academic projects, Marco led landmark initiatives globally, winning commissions and achieving design and statutory approvals during his previous 8-year tenure as Director at RVA from 2005 until 2012. Notable among his accomplishments at RVA is his leadership on the Mathematical Institute building at the University of Oxford, a project initiated following an international competition-winning masterplan for the Radcliffe Infirmary Site. Collaborating directly with Rafael Viñoly, Marco has steered design teams for prestigious institutional, commercial and research schemes, including Raffles City Bahrain, 20 Fenchurch Street, the Battersea Power Station masterplan, convention centres in Berlin and Rio de Janeiro, Manchester City FC’s expansion stadium plans, and the Francis Crick Institute / UKCMRI research complex in King’s Cross, London. Before his current role, Marco founded Emergent Design in 2013, where he spearheaded the design and delivery of international commissions ranging from private homes to landmark hospitality projects. He holds a Certificate in Professional Practice & Management (RIBA ARB Part III) from The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL (2007), a Master of Architecture from the Architectural Association School of Architecture (2002) and a Diploma in Architecture from Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico (2000). He is a Chartered Architect in both the UK (RIBA/ARB) and Mexico. His honours include the Honorary Award of design merit, CAM-SAM, Mexico (2012) and the WAN Urban Challenge Award for Housing (2017). He served as a jury member for the RIBA National Awards (2018) and as an elected board member of the SPG at the Royal Institute of British Architects (2014–23).