GABRIELA VEGA

Portrait courtesy of Gabriela Vega.

4th-year student at Tulane University

Gabriela was born in Havana, Cuba, and came when she was three years old with her mother and father. She attended large public schools where she was able to take several diverse electives. Gabriela’s first introduction to architecture was in her Technical Design class during her Sophomore year where she realized that she loved designing spaces and imagining how it would be used. Funny enough, she even received certification in Revit before entering college in New Orleans, LA. 

In college, Gabriela learned about the design process by developing a design intuition and a critical eye. She also joined several clubs and organizations founded to advance minority architecture students, such as the National Organization of Minority Architects. Gabriela is the first person in her family to go to college and plans on going into construction management and project planning upon graduation. 

What inspired you to pursue architecture?

I was inspired by my high school teacher Mrs. Garcia. She gave a great introduction to drafting, technical design, and an introduction to BIM and physical model-making. I was always in awe of how quickly she could grasp scale and space when I was first learning to create hexagonal apartments in BIM as part of an open-ended project for the year. She helped me gain certification in Revit and taught me to draft. I was so happy in her class that I knew architecture was what I wanted to pursue after high school. She taught me the patience for model-making and I was always excited to go to her class. When I told her I was accepted into Tulane University for the architecture program, we were both ecstatic.

Student Housing Development - Axon. A Student Housing Development proposal in New Orleans, LA. Spring 2018. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Vega.

What is the most important thing that you learned in the past year?

The most important thing I learned this year was that a design project does not have to be completed in one semester. During the past fall semester, I went through a Masterplanning research studio. The big chunk of the semester was focused on how to implement an all-encompassing masterplan to benefit the surrounding communities, their needs, and the existing infrastructure and systems that are in the area. To achieve this, my studio collaborated to create the masterplan within the time frame we were given. In the last three weeks, we each designed an individual building to accommodate those same needs. However, we got just as much feedback in reviews on our masterplans, if not more, than on our buildings. This experience opened my eyes; architecture is so much more than just designing a structure, it is also about creating a space and an environment.

Student Housing Development - Floor Plan. A Student Housing Development proposal in New Orleans, LA. Spring 2018. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Vega.

What are some architectural organizations (or specific person/role model) that helped you learn to overcome an obstacle? How did they?

I’m the secretary for the Tulane Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students, which is a student organization of the National Organization of Minority Architects. NOMA empowered me by creating a support group and a safe space for minority students such as myself. Because the organization includes older members and alumni, I also had a sense of mentorship every time I interacted with them. This semester was difficult and uncharted territory for many people; however, online communication made it easier for me to reach out to people who had been through the same experiences that I have.

Mobility Hub - Floor Plan. A train station and hotel make up this mobility hub in Toronto, CAN. Fall 2019. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Vega.

If you were given the opportunity to repeat the year, what is one thing you’d do differently?

If I could, I’d repeat my second year of architecture school. During this repeat, I’d take time to develop a graphic style and move a little slower with my development. It felt rushed so to speak, and with this chance, I would know everything would still come out the same if I slowed down and took some time to interact more with my professor and the rest of my studio. My professor was also a reason that semester was so wonderful. He was a visiting architect from Spain brought in by the dean. We had a great connection through our shared languages and cultures.

Mobility Hub - Section Perspective. A train station and hotel make up this mobility hub in Toronto, CAN. Fall 2019. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Vega.

As you reflect on the past year, what did you discover as your biggest strengths?

My biggest strengths are definitely organization and planning. This is why I see myself as part of a project planning team or a construction manager. I enjoy the simplicity of construction and the directness of project planning. I take every chance I can to lead my team to a deadline when we do group projects and I believe professors can see my confidence when I decide to take charge.

Masterplan - Axon. A Masterplan proposal for the revitalization of an industrial waterfront in New Orleans, LA. Fall 2020. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Vega.

In terms of rising concerns and problems (in the architectural profession) over the past year, what is one change that you wished would happen and it did not? This can be in an educational or work atmosphere. 

I had hoped going into architecture I would have a grasp of how to think in terms of money as well as design without having to venture into other professions or majors. I wish there were other tenets of financial liability and responsibility that could be taught to architecture students who want to be their own clients and owners and that it would become a crucial part of their education just like learning how to draft.

Masterplan. A Masterplan proposal for the revitalization of an industrial waterfront in New Orleans, LA. Fall 2020. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Vega.