[ted_talkteaser id=1920]In today’s talk, Teddy Cruz looks at San Diego-Tijuana border, where some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the United States are just a short drive from some of the poorest communities in Mexico. As used materials flow from San Diego to Tijuana, transforming the kinds of structures created there, people move from Tijuana to San Diego, retrofitting neighborhoods to accommodate their needs. Cruz is fascinated by how what was once a single family home can become a dwelling for an extended family, a home base for a small business, even a place of worship for many. He is deeply inspired by this multi-dimensional use of space. We were curious: how does Cruz design buildings with these big ideas in mind? Below, a look at some of his studio’s projects, along with Cruz’s notes on what you are seeing.

One of the most important issues underlying our research at