Founded in 2010, Z4A/Z4Z4 is an architecture and design practice based in Houston/Madrid. Led by co-principals Rafael Beneytez-Duran and Ophelia Mantz.

Z4A/Z4Z4 believes in the architecture's powers to respond to the present complexities of the built environment.






Z4A/Z4Z4 understands architecture at the intersection of disciplines and scales

Across scales, Z4A responds to present ideological, theoretical, and aesthetic issues.

Z4A is committed to pedagogy: both currently professors at the Hines CoAD of the University of Houston, Rafael leads the Undergraduate Architecture Studies, and Ophelia leads the Material Research Collaborative.


Engaging the physical and material embodiments Z4Z4 develops projects in technical and material forms.


Full Text - ︎ for a brief intro copy here ︎︎︎

Founded in 2010, Z4A/Z4Z4 is an architecture and design practice based in Houston/Madrid led by co-principals Rafael B. Duran and Ophelia Mantz. Z4A/Z4Z4 understands architecture at the intersection of disciplines and scales. Z4A/Z4Z4 believes in the architecture's powers to respond to the present complexities of the built environment. Across scales, Z4A responds to present ideological, theoretical, and aesthetic issues. Z4A is committed to pedagogy: both currently professors at the Hines CoAD of the University of Houston, Rafael leads the Undergraduate Architecture Studies, and Ophelia leads the Material Research Collaborative. Engaging the physical and material embodiments Z4Z4 develops projects in technical and material forms.