Member Spotlight: Carolina Ramírez

[#1]

Carolina Ramírez, Architect from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. I studied at the ETSAM (Higher Technical School of Architecture of Madrid), Expert Elite of the Spanish Community and recognized with the Expert Elite awards last year and EUBIM award, she shares her experience and experiences in this interview.

How did you get into the world of architecture?

I am Colombian, I started my studies there but when I arrived at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, everything changed.

There I found a more rigorous, more technical architecture. And I loved it.

Since I was little I liked to mold things, play with plasticine, put together structures. That became an obsession with understanding how things are really built. At the university I took all the courses in structures that there were. I specialized in building systems because I wanted to go beyond design: I wanted to understand how to make an idea become reality.

What was the project that most marked your career?

There were several, but without a doubt the one that marked me the most was a pharmaceutical laboratory of more than 100,000 m² in Madrid. At first I was hired to model a bit of architecture but I ended up modeling structures, facilities, complete systems. I even modeled themes as unexpected as plagues. Without knowing it, we were creating a digital twin when that term was not even used yet.

That project was so complete that from the model we managed everything: room temperature, valves, plant data... Autodesk recognized it as a success story in 2015. For me it was a confirmation that technology, when used well, transforms the way a building is managed.

What tools do you use in your current work?

I do a lot of work with Revit, which is still my base tool for modeling. For measurements and costs, I use Presto. And Autodesk Construction Cloud allows me to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams. Lately I've also been using AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM. They help me organize ideas, organize information, structure projects. Sometimes, asking an AI how to sort something is faster than solving it alone.

I also use platforms like SNAGIT to do visual tutorials on my YouTube channel. Many times it is easier to explain with a drawing than with words.

Who are your references?

In architecture, Álvaro Siza marked me from the beginning. I saw him solve a design problem with three lines and it was like seeing magic. He had a poetic connection with space. And in technology, I deeply admire Fernando Valderrama, the creator of Presto. He is a benchmark for his generosity and his way of thinking, not only in tools.

What role does the community play in your professional development?

To me, community is everything. I am active in groups such as EUBIM, where I was recognized as an outstanding expert in 2024, and also in support networks in Colombia and Madrid. You don't have to know everything, but have a network of people who know everything and with whom you can build together.

Also, teaching is a fundamental part of my life. Being a teacher forces me to continue learning, to be up to date. My students ask me questions that sometimes take me out of my comfort zone, and I love that.

What advice would you give to those who are just starting out?

That they embrace change, that they are curious, that they are not afraid of technology. The university career is only the starting point. Today we have access to some awesome tools: AI, free courses, entire communities. You just need to have desire and perseverance.

How do you see the future of architecture?

I believe that BIM is moving away from just a modeling tool to a platform for decision-making. The emphasis is no longer on drawing in 3D, but on making informed decisions at every stage of the project. And for that, we need data, collaboration, and a good technology foundation.

Technology is there to enhance our gaze, not to replace it. That's the future I want to build.