Juliet Hernandez - Eli
A professor once told me, "You will never know more than you know right now.” That's a good mantra. Don't wait around until you feel you "know enough". Take on new challenges with confidence that you will always ask the right questions to get it done.
#WomenWhoBuild, meet Juliet Hernandez- Eli,
Juliet is the founding principal of Hernandez-Eli Architecture, an award-winning New York City-based architecture firm whose work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Boston Architecture Magazine, amongst many others. Prior to starting her namesake firm, Juliet was an Owner’s Representative, leading nearly 1 million square feet of residential, commercial, and amenity space, through the design and construction process. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Princeton University and a Master in Architecture from Harvard University. She has taught at Harvard University, Pratt Institute, and Boston Architectural College and was also recently named a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at UC Berkeley.
We sat down with Juliet to discuss her journey in Architecture, what her day to day looks like, how she approaches every project she works on, and how she balances motherhood and an active career.
1. Tell us a little bit about your journey in Architecture? What made you pursue it as a career?
Growing up in a second-generation family my options for professions seemed limited to "doctor" "lawyer" or "accountant". On a whim I took the architecture studio sophomore Spring, having *no* idea what architecture meant as a course of study or a career. The extracurriculars of my youth somehow (volunteer & advocacy work, modern dance, science fairs, painting) prepared me for this moment and it just clicked. I also bought heavily into the idea that my career ought to have some broader social impact or contribution, and architecture promised that. Entering my junior year I requested to join the Architecture department, a decision some would consider late-stage. Luckily the acting dean said "yes" and I never looked back.
Eunos Mixed-Use Development | Singapore Winning Proposal
2. What does your day to day look like in your current role?
Every day is vastly different but is a mix of time dedicated to design team meetings, sketching, site visits, and networking for business development purposes. Lately I spend more than 50% of my time developing new relationships with stakeholders in the types of projects we aspire to do.
3. What pushed you to open your own architecture firm?
I wanted to contribute to my community. I thought that would be best done in my own practice where I could uphold my own ethics and agenda. I believe in the fundamental right to experience beauty in one's life daily, and that this beauty can profoundly impact us socially and emotionally. Beauty has the power to alter our behavior and how we situate ourselves in the world. I thought the best way to test and facilitate this idea was through my own architecture firm.
4. What has been the greatest triumph of having your own practice? What has been the biggest challenge?
Some days it feels like a triumph to even have a firm. Other days having a firm can feel like the biggest challenge to overcome.
Hilltop Retreat | Cold Spring, New York
5. How do you approach each project you work on?
It's very difficult to be self-aware of one's own architectural language and propensities in the context of architecture as an arts discipline, but I try to approach each project as an opportunity to solve a problem and make a mark on the journey towards further defining my own voice as a designer and artist.
6. How do you ensure that you are constantly growing and learning in your position?
As a woman practicing architecture, I find myself constantly challenged and confronted by the assumption that I have the least knowledge in the room. This is immensely frustrating but I do not dwell on it. Rather, this inequity ensures that I am always listening, preemptive and proactive, armed with the diligence to ensure things are moving on the correct trajectory.
Brooklyn Heights Residence | Brooklyn, New York
7. What has been your favorite project so far?
I’d like to think the future, unknowable projects, will always be my favorite. It's more about aspiration and ambition and as of late, the kinds of work we’ve been commissioned to do is larger in scale, but more importantly, are programs that address marginalized and disenfranchised communities. This is a dream, to have the privilege of dedicating my daily operation to the creation of beauty for communities that are afforded the least opportunity for such an important human right.
8. How do you balance motherhood and an active career?
I accept lots of help! I have a supportive partner, mother, and friends who make it possible. At the same time I carefully prioritize on multiple fronts. If I'm leaving the office early to take my daughter to ballet, I'm going to be up until midnight catching up on work. Luckily, my children love hearing about my work and inspire me to be a better mom and architect.
9. What is your advice for women entering the field?
A professor once told me, "You will never know more than you know right now.” That's a good mantra. Don't wait around until you feel you "know enough". Take on new challenges with confidence that you will always ask the right questions to get it done. Oh, and go get your license and get it early!