Roberto Rovira

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why art and design?

    A: We find that having a diverse practice that is open to exploring these two essential ways of thinking gives us insights that we would otherwise unwittingly bypass. It helps us work through problems, investigate issues, and consider alternatives that share the common passion for the creative process, even if the media and the scale change with each project. In our studio, art and design are two sides of the same coin.

  • Where are you located?

    A: We are located in Miami, Florida, an exciting and diverse arts and cultural destination that is a constant source of inspiration and a provocative laboratory of ideas. We are local and we are global. We take part in projects in the United States, as well as in Latin America and the Middle East. We see local and global engagement as necessary to our growth as a practice and to meeting the needs of our clients.

  • When was the studio established?

    A: Studio Roberto Rovira was established in 2011.

  • What is Roberto Rovira’s background/bio?

    A: Roberto is a Registered Landscape Architect (License 4629 CA, 6667343 FL), former Chair of FIU’s Landscape Architecture Department, and Principal of the studio. His teaching, research and creative work explore the field of landscape architecture through art and design. He obtained a Masters in Landscape Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 1998 and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Cornell University in 1990.  Roberto has lived in Latin America, Europe, and Japan and is a former U. S. Naval Officer, having served primarily in Asia and the Persian Gulf from 1990 to 1994.  Click here for BIO.

  • I heard you published a Studio Manifesto?

    A: We released our Studio Manifesto to remind ourselves of who we are and what we believe in. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it.

  • What is the EcoAtlas and how extensive is it?

    A: The EcoAtlas is a visually intuitive mapping method developed by Roberto Rovira that provides a means with which to understand the relationships and the richness of living systems.  Understanding the complex relationship between living and built systems is fundamental to their meaningful and sustainable transformation and design.  The project addresses the challenge of visualizing and understanding relationships among individual components and communicating their constant state of change.  We are working hard to develop a comprehensive tool that can serve designers, planners, and anyone interested in better understanding his or her environment. The EcoAtlas Project is at the heart of the studio’s identity in that it attempts to bridge art, science, and design while making something that aims to be at once functional and elegant.

  • Do you offer internships?

    A: Yes. However, we like to keep our studio small, since it helps to keep everyone involved in a meaningful way and it helps us better manage the quality of the products and services we provide.  Internships are therefore necessarily selective and often have to do with timing and the kinds of projects we may be doing or have planned.  If you think you are a good fit, drop us a line. We would like to know a few things beforehand though:  What is your background, what are your technical skills and what are your ambitions? Why do you think you would be a good fit with our studio? Please include this information in a Letter of Interest that indicates your available dates, along with a CV and a portfolio.  Format it into a single, multi-page PDF, and email it along with your contact information to: internships@robertorovira.com.

  • What/Where is FIU?

    A: FIU is short for Florida International University. Roberto has been a faculty of the Landscape Architecture Department at FIU since late 2005 and is the former Chair of the program. Located in Miami and Miami Beach, FIU Landscape Architecture is part of the College of Architecture + the Arts, which is comprised by seven departments, including Architecture, Interior Architecture, Art & Art History, Music, Theater, and Communication Arts.  An exciting and growing university that reflects the dynamic nature of the city it is in, FIU is in many ways the ideal place to study landscape architecture where the juxtaposition and at times collision of city and nature provide ample opportunities to experiment. FIU Landscape Architecture has consistently been recognized at the local, regional, state, national and international levels over the years. Learn more at www.FIULA.com.