Today we’d like to introduce you to Ramiro Losada-Amor.
Hi Ramiro, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Funny enough, I didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming an architect. I wasn’t that kid sketching buildings in a notebook—I was more into creative thinking, design, and figuring out how things worked.
I began studying Construction Engineering in Spain, near my family, and then transitioned to Architecture in Madrid. Later, I continued my studies in Belgium and worked for a time in the Netherlands, where I was deeply inspired by Dutch design culture and urban innovation. After returning to Madrid, I had the chance to teach at the university—something I’d always dreamed of. Around the same time, I co-founded Studio Banana TV, a creative platform where we traveled across Europe filming interviews with contemporary architects—before being a “YouTuber” was even a thing. We were publishing one video a week, documenting emerging architecture with a handheld camera and a lot of enthusiasm. So, all my background is from Europe.
Two unexpected opportunities changed everything: I was commissioned to design a museum in my hometown in Spain and invited to teach a summer program at a university in San Diego. For two years, I ping-ponged between Spain and California until I eventually joined Mosher Drew, the oldest architecture firm in San Diego (the founder designed the Coronado Bridge… a great milestone!).
At the same time, I launched Modern Granny Flat with my wife. We focused on designing modern, flexible, and sustainable accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in San Diego. What started as a wild idea for a friend’s garage turned into a project published in magazines and a steady stream of requests for thoughtful, budget-conscious modern ADU design.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Let’s just say there was no blueprint. When I started Modern Granny Flat, I had no projects, no office, and no team—just a big idea and a lot of conversations over coffee. I’ve worked odd hours, flown back and forth between continents, and learned to explain to Americans why European architects always want to open up the floor plan.
Balancing creative freedom with budget limitations is always a challenge, especially when working on small lots with big dreams. And starting a business in a new country? That’s a masterclass in both design and patience. But in every challenge, there’s been an opportunity to rethink what a home—or a granny flat—can be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Modern Granny Flat, we design custom modern accessory dwelling units in San Diego that are sustainable, flexible, and deeply personal. Whether it’s a backyard ADU for a family member, a rental unit, or a creative workspace, we start by listening. A lot. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all layouts. We design around people’s lives.
We are especially proud of projects like the Patio ADU, inspired by Roman villas and impluviums —created for a client who wanted light but no windows to the garden (yes, really!).
Or the green-roof ADU in North Park, designed for a client who wanted a garden but didn’t have the space. Picking tomatoes from your own rooftop garden in the center of a city? That’s the kind of daily joy you don’t expect from a ‘granny flat’—but it’s what we design for.
What sets us apart is that we treat small spaces with big design energy. We blend architectural creativity with California practicality. And we do it with soul.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
For us, risk in architecture isn’t about budget or complexity—it’s about proposing ideas that clients didn’t know they needed. When we design modern accessory dwelling units at Modern Granny Flat, we often introduce solutions that are unexpected but totally doable. Not expensive. Not impossible to build. Just… outside the box.
Take our project in La Mesa. The clients wanted a modern granny flat. The site had this incredible view of the Jamacha and Jamul mountains. So we proposed a butterfly roof—angled so they could wake up in bed and see the mountains every morning. That idea completely changed the atmosphere of the space. There’s something magical about waking up there and watching the morning light spill over the mountains from your bed. That’s not just an ADU. That’s a way of living.
Of course, these ideas come with challenges. Contractors push back. Engineers raise eyebrows. You have to defend your vision in every meeting, coordinate closely with consultants, and be present during construction. But that’s part of the job. Real architectural risk is about thinking differently—and then fighting for those ideas until they become reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://moderngrannyflat.com
- Instagram: moderngrannyflat
- Facebook: moderngrannyflat
Image Credits
Modern Granny Flat
