Romullo Baratto's architectural journey began early, influenced by a family environment steeped in engineering and architectural practice. Growing up surrounded by blueprints and models, he developed a foundational appreciation for the technical and creative aspects of the built environment. While his academic path led him to explore film and writing alongside architecture, these multidisciplinary interests naturally converged in editorial work. Starting as a freelance translator for ArchDaily, Romullo's alignment with the platform's mission led him to join as Editor for the Brazilian site, where he guided the publication to become the first media outlet to receive the prestigious FNA Award.
Now Project Manager at ArchDaily Global, Romullo leads flagship initiatives such as the Building of the Year Awards and ArchDaily New Practices. He approaches editorial work with a commitment to elevating projects and narratives that offer fresh perspectives and provoke meaningful discourse—eschewing mere trend-chasing in favor of critical, nuanced storytelling that deepens professional understanding.
His experience covering architecture has sharpened his awareness of the urgent need to amplify historically marginalized voices and practices. Romullo sees this as a necessary evolution toward a more inclusive and conscientious architecture—one that not only rethinks how we build but also how we represent and interpret architecture through media. For him, the interplay between content and form is essential in shaping a discourse that is socially aware and culturally rich.
His editorial journey has reinforced a core belief: quality pays off. In an era of rapid content production, he champions the importance of investing time and care to craft stories that resonate deeply and authentically. Whether through writing, interviews, lectures, curatorship, or photography, Romullo remains dedicated to communicating architecture in ways that matter, fostering connections between diverse voices and ideas across the global architectural community.
Read on to learn more about Romullo's perspective and journey.
What first sparked your interest in architecture — and what led you to editorial work?
I spent my childhood surrounded by blueprints and architectural models, as my father is an engineer and my mother was studying architecture at the time. So, it felt natural for me to develop a certain interest in buildings, drawings, and all things technical. Curiously, during university, I moved away from the technological side of architecture and began exploring other interests—especially film and writing. After graduating, I worked for a few months at an architecture bureau while also freelancing as a translator for ArchDaily. When they opened a job position as Editor for the Brazilian site, the description aligned so closely with my interests that I had to apply.
What do you look for when deciding whether a project or topic is worth publishing?
It depends, always. A topic worth publishing should bring something new to the table—a refreshing perspective, even if the subject itself isn't new. That's not the most important thing. Similar to photography, what catches my attention is the angle through which it's framed. Critical or descriptive, essayistic or technical, it needs to add something, fostering conversation—even when it's uncomfortable. Of course, some themes are necessary and urgent in today's agenda, and they're constantly featured in media outlets. But even these should be framed in a way that contributes to the professional debate. Publishing just because they're trendy doesn't make sense—it only floods the internet.
Is there a project or story you've published that particularly resonated with you — and why?
In 2022, I was invited to the opening of the National Art, Crafts and Design Center in Cape Verde, designed by Ramos Castellano Arquitectos. The center is located in Mindelo, a beautiful place and the second-largest city in the country. One of the most remarkable aspects of this project is that it's the first cultural building in Cape Verde to be built from scratch. Until then, every piece of cultural architecture in the country had been a refurbishment of an older structure. That was the significance of that day. Symbolically, it marked the beginning of a new era in the country's history—and I was there to cover that emotionally charged moment. Writing about it wasn't easy, as I wanted to honor the work and passion of everyone behind the project, while also leaving room for my own subjectivity to shape the narrative. The effort was definitely worth it, and I recall it today with tenderness.
What shifts or emerging trends in architecture are you paying close attention to right now?
We've all been noticing a much-needed shift in architectural discourse—one that opens the field to historically invisibilized people, practices, and voices. I believe—and hope—that this isn't just a trend, but the first step toward a better future: one that's more conscious of the planet and leaves no room for racism, sexism, or any form of colonialism. This shift affects not only how we build, but also how we represent architecture—through drawings, images, and media. It's all entangled: content and form should both reflect these changes. I'm particularly drawn to themes of repair and the representation of territories previously neglected or erased from architectural history.
What's something you've learned from your editorial work that continues to shape how you see architecture?
Quality pays off. I think that applies to most aspects of life, but in architectural media, it feels especially important. We're often racing against the clock, and it's tempting to do things quickly—but investing the time and energy to tell a good story is almost always worth it. That's what I work for, and that's what I want to keep doing: telling stories that matter.
This profile is part of the series "Voices of ArchDaily," a dedicated space highlighting the people behind our content team—their interests, experiences, and professional journeys.
