Aleksander Tokarz considers himself a citizen of the world. Since age 8, he flew back-and-forth between Poland and the United States. After graduating from college in 2008, Alex took prominent architectural jobs in Germany, Denmark, and Argentina. But his travels jeopardized his citizenship status in the U.S.. So until that clears-up, he is working in Mexico City, which is quite a contrast for this tall-and-pale Polish immigrant.

WE CATCH UP WITH THE ALEX ON HIS 2-YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN MEXICO, TO ASK HIM WHAT HE HAS BEEN UP TO :

What were your first impressions of Mexico City ?

It was a chaotic scene, with tons of traffic, mobs of people on the streets, and taco stands everywhere. Walking down the street everyone was always looking at me, sometimes stopping me to take pictures with them.

It felt like a whole other world. I was fortunate to land a place to live in a decent neighborhood, which at night had its share of vibrant characters. It was a clean slate for me, and I was ready to take whatever the city had to offer.

For starters the quality of life is much better in Mexico City. Rent and food are really cheap, and so is public transportation. There is a certain feeling in the air that can’t be explained, but I think it has to do with the pre-Hispanic culture that was here 500 years ago. The rain sometimes can be very heavy, flooding the whole city in a matter of minutes. There is also a volcano nearby that has small eruptions on a weekly basis.

The people are very open and welcoming, if you have good intentions. I have a much easier time introducing myself to various circles here without having to worry about if I fit in. Sometimes on Sunday afternoons I go out and do street art without worrying about being harassed by the police. It’s definitely a much more relaxed and chill vibe than New York.

I also began to volunteer at a local community center where I was quickly accepted and allowed to do various art and design projects. Casa de Cultura las Jarillas is a community center in Iztacalco, Mexico City that promotes cultural proliferation through workshops, theater, arts, and urban farming. They needed a sign as a more visible presence to help steer people towards the community center. It had to be easy to install, preferably integrated with local plants, and had to be seen from across the street where a bus station is located. Each letter integrates special slits with planters. The community center now attracts more people to the area and inspires them to learn about urban agriculture in the city.

Street exhibition with pictures taken of art in local museums, printed out, and pasted all over the city. Representing Mexico City for the Outings Project.

I just went into default mode like I do every single time I move into a new place. First find a place to live and then bombard every single architecture office in the city with my resume and portfolio. I made an attempt to visit every office I wanted to work for in person, sometimes sneaking past security guards and receptionists. It felt like a game, where you start off easy  

in level one, jumping over obstacles, until you have to come across “The Boss.” Luckily for me being a foreigner played in my favor, even though I didn’t speak the language. To be perfectly honest, when you are white in Mexico and walking around dressed in a suit, no one is going to stop you and challenge what you are doing there.

Yes and No. On one hand I was an exotic outsider, which meant it was quite easy for me to meet new people and make friends. However at the same time I was also looked at as “the tourist” who at any time was a target for thieves and pick-

pockets. So depending in which neighborhood I was in, and

at what time of the day, I really had to be vigilant and not catch myself slipping. When I go to the local markets, the vendors are always yelling at me ”Hey whitey, what’s up!”

It can be super friendly, but awkward at times.

Mexico City’s New International Airport Terminal

I landed a job in one of the city’s most up-and-coming architecture firms, FR-EE. They had just been approved to design a new airport for Mexico City, and I was hired to be a project architect for the roof and facade – the whole envelope. The design is inspired by the crest of the national flag, which

has an eagle landing on a cactus. It’s going to be completed in 2020 and is aiming to be the most sustainable airport in the world and the first with the LEED certification. The airport is a collaboration project with Foster+Partners from England, and ARUP from New York City.

An outdoor vertical garden sign for a community center in Iztacalco, Mexico City.

Two spreads from issues of Scraper Magazine