Irma Del Valle Nachon, architect and Circularity Lead at Breathe Architecture, marries traditional craftsmanship with modern design to champion sustainable architecture. In her capacity at Breathe, renowned for its ecological and social commitments, Del Valle Nachon spearheads transformative projects like the Nightingale Housing initiative. This project redefines affordable, sustainable urban living by prioritizing compact, efficient living spaces within vibrant communities.
Del Valle Nachon infuses her architectural approach with deep anthropological insights, ensuring a resonant connection between her projects and their environmental and cultural settings. A prime example is the Home Truth project for the 2024 NGV Architecture Commission, where Irma Del Valle Nachon rethinks conventional residential structures to foster sustainable, mindful lifestyles.
Irma Del Valle Nachon’s contributions to sustainable and circular design, employing both traditional materials and innovative techniques, address crucial issues such as housing affordability and environmental sustainability. Her dedication to regenerative and circular design principles cements her status as a leading figure in sustainable architectural practice.
What inspires you?
I find inspiration in the natural world; plants, landscapes, and the intricate patterns found in nature. Music, art, and experiences that engage the senses also deeply influence me. I’m drawn to anything that creates a sensory connection.
What inspired you to become an architect?
My passion for design and art has been a constant, but it was a summer spent traveling through Europe that shaped my decision to pursue architecture. Experiencing the impact of space, scale and materiality, made me realise the power of architecture to shape human experiences.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
My design philosophy is rooted in place, regeneration, and restraint; respecting the land, building only what is necessary, and designing with a long-term, positive impact in mind. Growing up in Mexico, I developed a deep appreciation for traditional materials and craftsmanship. I’m also inspired by the principles of the ‘décroissance’ (degrowth) movement, advocating for thoughtful, low-impact solutions that enrich rather than deplete.
What is your favorite project?
Home Truth, Breathe’s latest project for the 2024 NGV Architecture Commission. It embodies the intersection of architecture, storytelling, and sustainability in a way that challenges perceptions and prompts critical conversations about the way we live.
What is your favorite architectural detail?
One of my favorite details is from Home Truth, where we designed perforations in the SaveBoard panels to create an interplay of light, movement, and transparency. The intention was to enhance the perception of window frames, creating a shifting visual experience that engages both the internal maze and its relationship with the outside world, challenging spatial boundaries.
Do you have a favorite material?
I’m drawn to materials that tell a story; honest, humble, and inherently sustainable. SaveBoard, made from upcycled Tetra Pak and soft plastics, has been a recent favorite, particularly in Home Truth. I’m also fascinated by emerging mycelium-based materials for their regenerative potential. But ultimately, I always return to natural materials—earth, stone, and timber—because of their authenticity and durability.
How do you see Rammed Earth in Architecture?
My work with local communities in Mexico allowed me to explore different uses of rammed earth. It’s a technique that continues to fascinate me, not just for its texture and warmth but for its remarkable thermal and acoustic properties. It’s a material that embodies both tradition and innovation, offering a low-carbon, high-performance alternative to conventional construction.
What is stopping architects from embracing this potential carbon-free material?
At Breathe, we are actively researching and advocating for sustainable materials. The industry still prioritises conventional materials due to outdated certification processes, supply chain challenges, and economic constraints. However, the most sustainable materials already exist—we just need to champion transparency, ethical sourcing, and lifecycle-based design thinking. By shifting focus to carbon-sequestering and fully circular materials, we can push the industry towards true sustainability.
What is your process for starting a new project?
Every project begins with understanding its place; its connection to the land, the community, and its broader environmental and cultural context. We approach design with deep respect for people and planet, ensuring that every decision is intentional and contributes to a larger regenerative vision.
How do you balance function and creativity in your designs?
At Breathe, sustainability, regenerative design, and reductionism form the foundation of every project. Within this framework, we challenge ourselves to push boundaries, creating spaces that not only perform at their best but also inspire, engage, and elevate the human experience.
How does the environment influence your work?
The environment is a constant source of inspiration, whether through direct observation of landscapes and ecosystems or through sensory experiences like music, literature, and art.
What inspired the Edgars Creek House?
Edgars Creek House is all about a connection to nature. This home is about the country and the landscape in which it exists, and offers a way to live as part of that system rather than trying to preside over it.
The home is broken down into three elements/three pavilions. One for sleeping, one for bathing, one for living. They frame a central courtyard, and they frame the view to the west through a tall stand of Ironbark trees, and onto the meandering creek beyond. Each pavilion is connected to the landscape, to the view, to the creek.
The materiality of the house responds to its bushland context. A rammed earth wall shields the south of the house, and talks to the sandstone cliffs of the creek below. The pavilions sit among the Ironbark trees and are clad in raw Ironbark themselves.
What advice would you give to young architects?
This is our moment to drive change. We have the responsibility and the opportunity to challenge our practice and design for a truly regenerative future. Build only what is necessary, build it well, and build it to last.
