Architecture as Strategy and Complexity: Inside Lilibeth Martinez’s Work at FIFA

 

Hello Lilibeth, and thank you for this interview. You attended the Off-site Technologies for Architecture course, a project by Manni Group, last year. Can you tell us what happened in your life after that?

Hello, thank you for considering me for this interview. I really appreciate it.
Well, after completing the Off-Site Technologies for Architecture program at Yacademy, I continued strengthening my technical leadership in high-end residential developments in the United States, deepening my experience in construction documentation and interdisciplinary coordination at Sire Design, known for projects featured in specialized magazines and streaming platforms like Netflix (Designing Miami) and HGTV | HBO (Divided by Design). These experiences reinforced my conviction that architecture and design must balance creativity, technical precision, functionality, and human purpose.

Shortly after, I assumed my current role at FIFA as Manager, Materials Layout Planning & Design for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, where my work sits at the intersection of architecture, design, logistics, and data strategy across multiple countries. Here, it’s essential to think beyond the scale of a single building and approach every challenge as part of a complex operational environment.

It sounds like a challenging and complex role indeed! Would you like to share with us the main obstacles you encounter and what you find most rewarding in your daily practice?

The main challenge lies in translating large volumes of operational data into precise spatial strategies while coordinating multiple actors and FF&E across different venues and countries. The complexity is not only technical but also organizational, requiring constant alignment between design intent, logistics, and implementation schedules.

The most rewarding part is seeing complex information turn into clear, actionable spatial solutions that work in the field. Being able to influence decisions that impact procurement, budgets, logistics, and the preparation of stadiums and venues at a global scale is incredibly fulfilling, and it reinforces the strategic value of design thinking and management.

Is there anything that you struggled with at the beginning that you have grown comfortable with over time?

When I first started working in the U.S., one of the biggest challenges was adapting to new professional cultures, technical standards, and international work dynamics. The level of precision, regulatory rigor, and responsibility in construction documentation and interdisciplinary coordination was much higher, which pushed me to rapidly elevate my technical skills and communication clarity.

This learning curve intensified in my current role at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where I have to simultaneously coordinate very large, multi-disciplinary teams with extremely tight deadlines and high levels of budgetary and regulatory compliance oversight. Thinking strategically, prioritizing accurately, and maintaining effective communication with stakeholders globally have been key.

Over time, what initially felt challenging has become one of my main strengths. Today, I feel completely comfortable operating in highly complex international environments, where clarity, coordination, and systemic thinking are essential.

What is it like to work in FIFA? Does it differ from other work experiences that you had before? Was there something particularly surprising that you hadn’t expected?

Working within the FIFA World Cup 2026 ecosystem is a deeply dynamic experience, defined by global scale, speed, and the complexity of coordinating across multiple countries and venues. Compared to my previous experience in high-end residential development, the integration between architecture, logistics, procurement, and operational strategy is far greater.

It has been especially enriching to learn about unconventional typologies like stadiums and large-capacity venues, understanding the complexity of intervening in existing structures, reusing spaces, and creating new configurations within and outside established infrastructures. We work under BIM methodologies, crossing information from 16 main venues and hundreds of interior areas, which requires constant systemic thinking and a transversal reading of data, timelines, and resources.

In addition to designing and distributing FF&E, the role involves supporting the logistics that make the event possible: optimizing bump-in and bump-out, distribution with very tight deadlines, maintaining budget control, and connecting hundreds of zones and thousands of people in very short timeframes. The operational scale is difficult to summarize in a few lines.

What surprised me the most was realizing how closely spatial planning is linked to real-time decision-making in an event of this scale. It’s the first time I’ve encountered an ecosystem where architecture is not the sole focus but a strategic component within a much broader global machinery. This has reinforced my belief that the contemporary role of the architect is increasingly multidisciplinary, collaborative, and system-oriented, making it both a challenging and deeply rewarding experience.

How do you think your experience at Yacademy is helping you?

Yacademy was a conceptual turning point that transformed the way I understand architecture. The program taught me to approach projects as integrated systems, where design, prefabrication, logistics, and execution operate simultaneously and strategically.

This approach has been directly applicable in my current role, allowing me to structure designs, optimize material flows, anticipate conflicts between disciplines, and develop standardized typologies that facilitate real-time coordination.

It also taught me that architecture can be a driver of operational efficiency and strategic decision-making, sparking my interest in large-scale, multidisciplinary, and high-impact environments. It has reinforced my ambition, adaptability, and strategic vision, enabling me to lead highly complex international projects with creativity and efficiency.

Finally, you’ve already achieved a lot in your career. Do you already have your next steps in mind?  

Honestly, I don’t always know if I’ve achieved “a lot” or if I’m on the “right” path; my career has been a constant effort, learning to adapt to rapid changes and unexpected situations. But what I do know is that I always want to keep preparing myself, to be ready for what comes next, and to take every opportunity to learn and contribute. I come from Latin America, specifically Ecuador, where contexts can be very complex, and I hope to generate a positive impact through my work someday, even if it’s not always easy.

My goal is to be involved in international projects that combine design excellence and sustainability, advanced construction methodologies, and global operational systems, where interdisciplinary coordination drives efficiency and real impact. I want to evolve with architecture, face challenges, learn from every experience, and, above all, inspire others to take risks, believe in their ideas, and build something meaningful - no matter the scale or circumstances. I want to continue creating experiences that transcend borders and leave a real impact, today and in the future.