Louis E. Kuilan

Hometown: Toa Alta, Puerto Rico
Education Background: B.A. Environmental Design

How did you get interested in your field?
I have always been interested in art and design, and because of this, my parents enrolled me in art classes at an early age at the Escuela de Artes Plásticas y Diseño in Old San Juan, PR. Taking classes in this historic setting sparked a new interest in architecture and history. Later, during my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to participate in the restoration of a historic pavilion on campus. This experience opened my eyes to a field that combines my interests in history, art, and architecture. Since then, I have worked on various projects in this field, which ultimately influenced my decision to pursue a master’s in Historic Preservation.

What was your background prior to coming to Penn?
During my senior year, I began working as a conservation technician at a nonprofit organization in Puerto Rico. In this role, I was responsible for removing and safeguarding plaster ornaments from a historic hotel in San Juan, PR. Later, I took on the position of administrative assistant for the same organization, which helped me grasp the complexities of running a preservation agency. Eventually, I was assigned as a project coordinator for the documentation of historic properties across Puerto Rico. This was a deeply fulfilling project, as it allowed me to better understand my heritage through architecture.

Why did you choose Penn?
After researching the programs and courses, I found that UPenn’s approach to preservation covers every essential aspect of the field, from material analysis to the process of nominating a historic site. Additionally, with Philadelphia as the birthplace of the United States, it offers an ideal setting to study and practice preservation.

What has been your favorite class so far?
Even though I enjoy every class, my top favorites classes right now are Architectural Conservation in which we study the deterioration of materials through chemistry and Theories of Preservation which helps to understand the history of the field and why we preserve heritage.

What are you learning right now that will help you in the future?
In Theories of Preservation, we are discussing various approaches to heritage preservation through the perspectives of prominent figures who have contributed theories on how preservation should be practiced.

What do you like best about Philadelphia?
What I enjoy most about Philadelphia is the city’s duality. In just a few minutes, you can go from the bustling city center to a quiet residential neighborhood. Despite being an urban area, green spaces are easily accessible. For an art lover like me, the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers an impressive collection of works by prominent artists. Overall, Philadelphia is a vibrant city with diverse options to suit various lifestyles.

What kinds of activities and/or organizations are you involved in?
Currently, I am working with the Center for Architectural Conservation (CAC), where I am involved in real projects under the guidance of Frank Matero and John Hinchman. This experience has been invaluable for learning about various aspects of the industry and gaining firsthand insight into what to expect after graduation. I also joined the Gymnastics Club, which has been a fantastic way to meet new people and unwind when things get overwhelming.

What are your career ambitions?
For now, I am looking forward to continuing to learn as much as possible and gaining experience in various aspects of the field. Thankfully, there are many career pathways aligned with my interests, and I’m excited about exploring them.