Enelyn Hernandez

Why is architecture special to you?

Architecture is special to me because one can create and design almost anything. These creations are shared to our communities and help create a better bond between people. 

What do you hope to accomplish as an architect/designer in the future?

What I hope to accomplish as an architect/designer in the future is to create equal opportunities for everyone through the projects I work on. Historically we have seen that marginalized communities have not gotten and still are not getting the resources that should be accessible to all. I want to push this idea of accessibility and equity through my architecture career. 

What is something you are looking forward to in design school this year?

Something I am looking forward to in design school this semester is the in-depth learning of programs such as Autodesk 3D Max, VRay for Enscape, and Revit.

Essay Excerpt: “How will you use what you have learned in architecture/design school to positively impact diversity, equity, and inclusion in your community?”

“Through my studies in Fay Jones, I have learned that we as students of design impact not only the environments we plan to build upon, but also the communities residing there. Historically, there have been many instances of discrimination and lack of attention to marginalized communities. Some examples are “Levittowns”, redlining, and unequal resource distributions to different communities after natural disasters—such as the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. These forms of operating and structuring in design have not disappeared, the systems have just evolved and modernized. In addition to these historical issues, I’ve learned about the discrepancies in design careers regarding gender, race, and educational requirements. Learning about these occurrences taught me the prejudices affecting people up until the present and encourage me to help build a future that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

“The model I chose to show is the 1/16th scale of Museo Jumex. This is a real-life museum located in Mexico City, Mexico. In Studio, we were prompted to research and recreate a contemporary project. A partner and I were captivated by this project because of the juxtaposition of how heavy it was on the outside, yet open and “airy” on the inside. It is one of my favorite projects I’ve worked on to date. “