Cemex Awards Prestigious Marcelo Zambrano Scholarship to Mexican Architect Rodrigo Molina Rueda

Cemex has announced Rodrigo Jerónimo Molina Rueda as the recipient of the 2026 Architect Marcelo Zambrano Scholarship. Selected from 52 candidates by a distinguished jury of Mexican architects, Molina Rueda will receive up to two million pesos to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. This scholarship is recognized as one of the most significant in architecture globally and the most comprehensive in Mexico and Latin America.

Molina Rueda, a 29-year-old architect and graduate of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, will undertake the Master of Architecture (MArch) Environmental Design program at the University of Calgary in Canada. He founded Baliza Studio in 2024, focusing on single-family and multi-family housing, public buildings, and applied research. His prior experience includes collaborations with CO Arquitectura, R-Zero Studio, Arquimia, and the international collective MMMZS.

His professional achievements include first-place awards in international architecture competitions in South Korea, China, and the Philippines, with projects that have been exhibited internationally. The Marcelo Zambrano Scholarship, now in its 19th year, supports Mexican architects in pursuing postgraduate studies at prestigious international universities, honoring the legacy of Architect Marcelo Zambrano and promoting advancements in Mexican architecture.

Cemex, in celebration of its 120 years building Mexico, reiterated its commitment to nurturing new generations of architects. The company believes these professionals, equipped with knowledge and innovation, will contribute to the development of better communities. The selection jury included notable architects such as Alejandro Rivadeneyra, Augusto Quijano, and Fernanda Canales, with Jimena Hogrebe serving as president of the scholarship council.