18. TrooRa Magazine The Women’s Issue Spring ’23

Affordable housing has always been an issue in Mexico. With such a fast- growing population and a lack of places to live, the country is in need of millions of homes. Bilbao knows that Mexico has a long way to go before the problem is even close to being solved, but by having conversations with politicians and developers, something can start to change. Bilbao understands that while it’s important for people to have a roof over their heads, it’s also important to create a home that inspires the people that live in them. Just because it’s affordable housing doesn’t mean it has to be designed the same for everyone. By considering people’s personal preferences, affordable housing can be a nurturing environment for its inhabitants. One of Bilbao’s first affordable housing designs that got major traction in the global community was her studio’s adaptable low-cost house. The idea behind the design is that it could be adapted to suit the needs of different residents and expand when needed. And with a variety of material options, the houses can be built to suit a variety of climates depending on where they are built.

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