Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
+10 Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Hugo Mijares | Conceptual Craftsmanship, Architectural Integrity, Poetic Materiality
Meet Hugo Mijares
Principal Interior Designer
Luxury Guide Design Curator
As the founder and principal of ONE D+B MIAMI, Hugo Mijares leads a studio where conceptual design and hands-on craftsmanship coexist in perfect harmony. Established in 2007, the multidisciplinary firm is celebrated for its thoughtful integration of architecture, fabrication, and material exploration—delivering projects that are as purposeful as they are poetic.
A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Mijares studied architecture and applied arts at UJMV in Caracas before earning a Master’s degree from the University of South Florida and completing post-professional studies at Harvard University. His academic background informs a studio culture that values deep inquiry, innovation, and precision.
Whether designing a residential space, civic installation, or custom furniture piece, ONE D+B MIAMI brings equal focus to form, function, and fabrication. By selectively taking on projects, the studio remains intimately involved in every phase—from concept to construction—ensuring that each outcome is technically sound, environmentally conscious, and aesthetically refined.
With a practice rooted in intellectual rigor and material sensibility, ONE D+B MIAMI continues to shape the Miami design landscape with work that is inventive, grounded, and deeply human.
Q&A INTERVIEW
We recently sat down with Hugo to talk about his creative journey, design philosophy, and what continues to fuel his passion for shaping meaningful spaces. Here’s what he shared:
PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
What inspired you to become an interior designer?
What inspired me to become an interior designer is the desire to shape how people feel in a space—not just how it looks or functions. My architectural training gave me structure, but interior design allows me to engage with the emotional and tactile layers: light, texture, proportion, and atmosphere. Growing up in Caracas, I was surrounded by color, form, and a culture of improvisation—design was never static, it was always adapting. Later, Miami brought a new palette: tropical light, water, and a blend of cultures that influence how space is used and experienced.
Interior design became the perfect intersection of architecture, art, and storytelling. It lets me craft environments where design isn’t just seen—it’s lived.
Can you share a pivotal moment or project that shaped your career?
A pivotal moment in my career was when I returned to the U.S. permanently after leaving Venezuela during a time of political and social instability. That transition forced me to redefine my path and voice in a new cultural and professional landscape.
One transformative project was a Miami waterfront residence where I had full creative direction—from the architectural shell to custom furniture and art placement. It was the first time I could fully integrate all aspects of my practice: architecture, interiors, product design, and fine art. That experience reaffirmed the power of multidisciplinary thinking. It wasn’t just about a house—it was about crafting a lifestyle and an identity.
How would you describe your design style in three words?
Refined. Expressive. Purposeful.
What do you enjoy most about the design process?
The transformation—from abstract idea to lived experience.
There’s a moment when a sketch becomes a space, when materials begin to speak to each other, and when light interacts with form in an unexpected way. That alchemy is what drives me. I also love the balance between control and discovery—combining technical precision with emotional intuition as the project reveals its own character.
DESIGN PREFERENCES & INSIGHTS
What types of projects or clients do you gravitate toward most?
I gravitate toward clients who value design as personal and cultural expression.
Projects that allow for creative freedom—residences, hospitality, or mixed-use spaces—where architecture, interiors, and art can form a cohesive story.
What’s one design element you often find yourself returning to?
Material contrast—especially raw versus refined.
The tension between polished marble and unfinished wood, or glass against concrete, creates emotional depth. That duality feels honest and human.
How do you stay inspired—any favorite sources of creativity or trends?
I look beyond the design world: kinetic art, fashion, machinery, nature.
Carlos Cruz-Diez and Jesús Rafael Soto, in particular, influence how I think about movement and perception. I’m also inspired by the purity of industrial design—motorcycles, eyewear, engineered objects.
I don’t follow trends strictly, but I track shifts like sustainability, tactility, and quiet in design—movements that feel enduring, not fleeting.
What’s a common design mistake you often see—and how do you fix it?
Overdesign—spaces trying to say too much.
I fix it by editing: distilling the design to its essence, then adding back with intention. Great design breathes—it knows when to pause and when to speak.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone designing or refreshing their home?
Start with how you want to feel—not how you want it to look.
Define the atmosphere first—calm, energized, grounded—then let that guide every decision.
Invest in fewer, better things. Texture, lighting, and proportion are what make a space truly timeless.
What does luxury mean to you when it comes to design?
Luxury is clarity, intention, and emotion. It’s not about excess—it’s about how something is made, how it feels, and how it supports your life. Luxury is a soft-close drawer, natural light at the right hour, and materials that grow more beautiful with time. It’s quiet confidence.
ONE D+B MIAMI
Hugo Mijares
onedbmiami.com
9822 NE 2nd Ave, Office 9, Miami, FL 33138
IG: @onedbmiami
(786) 762-6949
