Azarai Hernandez

I come from Venezuela, a biodiverse and multicultural country. While studying Architecture in Latin America, I immersed myself in complex urban systems, which combine formal and informal dynamics, facing social and environmental challenges. After graduation, I had the opportunity to work on the improvement of living conditions, the reduction of risks, and the creation of public spaces in informal settlements, with affordable solutions, taking advantage of on-site resources, vernacular practices, and the local workforce. These experiences led me to explore new frontiers in Landscape Architecture in the United States, improving my ability to advocate for ecological awareness and social justice through multi-scalar and interdisciplinary design. At the University of Pennsylvania, I pursued the Master of Landscape Architecture with a Certificate in Urban Design. After gaining further professional experience in the U.S.A., I expect to return to my country to assist self-constructed communities with landscape-based solutions.