Building Trust and Innovation: How Matias Daroch with MIK Architecture Is Revolutionizing Miami’s Lu

Quinton Comino: Welcome to Builder Buzz by Home Nation, where we bring in builders, developers, and everyday investors to talk about one of America's biggest opportunities, affordable housing...

Quinton Comino: Hi. Today, I have the privilege of sitting down with Matias with MIK Architecture...

Matias Daroch: Hey.

Quinton Comino: Hi, Matias.

Matias Daroch: How are you?

Quinton Comino: I'm doing well. How are you?

Matias Daroch: Very good.

Quinton Comino: Thank you for joining me this morning.

Matias Daroch: Oh, thank you for having me.

Quinton Comino: So I have here with us Matias from MIK Architecture. Matias, you're in South Florida, right? And you're from South America. So just give us an idea what brought you here to the States...

Matias Daroch: Sure. And I will start saying thank you so much for having me. I came into Miami in 2016 from Chile...

Matias Daroch: I was trained as an architect in Chile... I didn't have a license or anything, so we started working with engineers, other architects, and learning the local system...

Quinton Comino: Oh, well. Yeah.

Matias Daroch: ...and I realized I needed to get my own license here. It took me like two years. We kept growing with the real estate part, and that’s how we are here today...

Quinton Comino: So you calculate to do developments? And it was just you, or did you come with family?

Matias Daroch: Good question. No, I came with a great opportunity of a family friend that was already here working and investing...

Quinton Comino: Yeah. So you started MIK because you saw there was a need...?

Matias Daroch: I mean, there's always gonna be problems. But it's trying to minimize them and being available when needed. Some architects just don’t care. I said no—we have to care...

Matias Daroch: We try to coordinate things before getting the building permit. We try to hit the ground running when we actually get the permit.

Quinton Comino: So what does a developer ask you?

Matias Daroch: I always tell them, as soon as you get a property under contract, bring it to me. I’ll run a feasibility study before your inspection period ends...

Quinton Comino: So do you have engineers on your team?

Matias Daroch: No. I would say my developer experience comes in handy here. Most architects don’t go that far upfront to identify utility issues...

Quinton Comino: Yeah. And the permit process?

Matias Daroch: We run the permits ourselves. We don't outsource it. We follow up with reviewers, address comments early, and build rapport...

Quinton Comino: Yeah. It really helps to know the reviewer...

Matias Daroch: Absolutely. You have to be careful when correcting them. We usually go with the question approach...

Quinton Comino: How do you get new clients?

Matias Daroch: In the beginning, it was mostly word of mouth. Eventually, we created AGD Developers as a unified developer entity...

Quinton Comino: So break it down—developer, investor, GC, architect...

Matias Daroch: Sure. The developer identifies the opportunity and puts the pro forma together. They often bring in an investor who funds the equity...

Quinton Comino: So the developer is more of the connector...

Matias Daroch: Yes. Exactly. We’re independent but coordinated. From the beginning, we all work closely together—developer, GC, architect, broker...

Quinton Comino: And the GC holds the license for the permit?

Matias Daroch: Correct.

Quinton Comino: And the developer is at risk with the property...

Matias Daroch: Yes. Securing the property and getting the deal moving is crucial...

Quinton Comino: So who’s most at risk and who profits the most?

Matias Daroch: The investor. They’re most exposed and typically gain the most if everything goes well...

Quinton Comino: And the best way to succeed?

Matias Daroch: The right team. People who grow with you. You need feedback and constant improvement...

Quinton Comino: So your investors—mostly Chile?

Matias Daroch: In the beginning, yes. Now we’re doing outreach, speaking in newspapers, podcasts, and working on an investor portal...

Quinton Comino: Why not focus on South Florida investors?

Matias Daroch: We do, but it’s tougher. In Chile we stand out more, and trust is easier to build...

Quinton Comino: Do you find South Americans are more trusting?

Matias Daroch: Yes. It’s about language and culture. I can translate the real estate model between U.S. and Chilean expectations...

Quinton Comino: So you’re focused on Miami?

Matias Daroch: Yes, mostly high-end single-family in Miami. We’ve looked at Tampa/Sarasota but they’re flooded right now...

Quinton Comino: Thank you, Matias. This has been very insightful...

Matias Daroch: Thank you so much for having me. It was fun.

Quinton Comino: What kind of investor do you need?

Matias Daroch: We used to need full project investors ($1M–$3M), but now we’re launching a platform where someone can invest with as little as $100K...

Quinton Comino: That’s fantastic. What returns do they see?

Matias Daroch: We aim for a 20–28% IRR annually...

Quinton Comino: Is this platform your own?

Matias Daroch: We licensed and customized one. It’s private—investors register, we vet them, then they see deals and invest securely through it...

Quinton Comino: That’s very forward thinking. MIK Architecture does a lot more than just architecture!

Matias Daroch: I can only do all this because I have an amazing team behind me. They challenge me when needed and keep everything running smoothly.

Quinton Comino: That’s amazing. So it’s mikarchitecture.com—if you’re in South Florida, especially Miami, check them out. And keep an eye out for future investment opportunities.

Matias Daroch: Absolutely. Thanks again!

Quinton Comino: Great. Thank you, Matias. We’ll see you.

Matias Daroch: Bye.