EMELYN GONZALES

Recent Graduate of New Jersey School of Architecture, NJIT

I am Peruvian-American, who just graduated from her bachelors in Architecture. I am a first-generation graduate. I spend most of my time with friends and family. I love going to Peru to visit family and explore the beauty of the culture.

I just graduated from NJIT with my bachelors of Architecture and I hopefully planned on pursuing my masters in Healthcare Design because of the third world’s countries that do not the sufficient healthcare facilities for their citizens.

Winery in Peru. - Courtesy of Emelyn Gonzales.

Emelyn‘s Fun Facts

1. Where are you from? Born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey

2. What is your favorite Latina/x dish? A Peruvian dish called Tallarines Verdes

3. What is your favorite song by a Latino/a/x artist? Callaita by Bad Bunny

4. I used to be part of a Peruvian dance group.

5. My family owns a winery in Peru that provides wines and pisco. Pisco sour is Peru’s national drink.

6. I am always traveling to Peru and visiting different cities that offer different lifestyles.

Señor de Muruhauy Dance Group. - Courtesy of Emelyn Gonzales.

What inspired you to study architecture?

My father is an engineer and I grew up following his steps but I did not want to go into engineering. So I asked him what’s another career that works with you and that’s when he brought up Architecture. I did not know what architecture was until I went to high school and my shop was Drafting which had Architecture. That’s when I knew I found my path like designing buildings, understanding every level of detail was fascinating. Then after high school I went to NJIT for Architecture and finally graduated. My fascination and passion for architecture has grown throughout the years.

Heath Clinic Design: Interior Perspective and Collage Image through Walkway: NJIT 2018. - Courtesy of Emelyn Gonzales.

Are there any organizations that helped you grow in architecture?

Yes, NJIT NOMAS which is the student chapter of the National Organization for Minority Architects. They helped open the doors in which we can communicate and work along side minority architects and students who are also part of the chapter in our school as well in other chapters. It’s good to know that we are not alone in the profession and they are people who want to help the future architects to proceed in their career.

Student and Faculty Housing: Axonometric View: NJIT 2019. - Courtesy of Emelyn Gonzales.

How does your culture affect the way you design?

I am the first born in the US of my entire family and also being a Latina always had its complications. There was a lot of pressure in my studies but that also was my thrive to keep going since I was the first to get a degree in my family. In designing it was always about the functionality of the building for all demographics.

Student and Faculty Housing: Exterior Perspective: NJIT 2019. - Courtesy of Emelyn Gonzales.

Four Freedoms Foundation in Roosevelt Island: Gallery Room: NJIT 2020. - Courtesy of Emelyn Gonzales.

If you would talk to your younger self, what advice would you give yourself?

Don’t give up because you will conquer the obstacles that’s coming. What you worked for will pay off and never let yourself to fall down to the thoughts and opinions of others.

Spending Time with Family in Ica, Peru. - Courtesy of Emelyn Gonzales.

What do you want to say to the next generation of Latina/x architects?

Never give up. Keep going in your profession. Just because you’re a minority does not mean that you can not be the one who makes an impact.

Four Freedoms Foundation in Roosevelt Island: 3D Section: NJIT 2020. - Courtesy of Emelyn Gonzales.