Pablo is a Design Technology Specialist here at Shepley who is passionate about parametric and identifying sustainable and ecological design solutions. Pablo’s unique background paired with his dedication to developing the best design solutions for people and planet make him an incredible asset to our firm.
Learn more about how Pablo utilizes his experience, passion, and ambitious architectural thinking to design beyond.
Can you tell us the “backstory” about what brought you to this career path?
I’ve always been the artist in my family, in search of different outlets for my creativity. In high school, I took studio art classes, thinking I might want to pursue a path towards becoming an artist. While I have a deep appreciation for art, I ultimately sought a profession that provided a greater balance between creativity and programmatic thinking. One day I was sitting at home watching HGTV with my mom, it hit me – architecture. As an architect, I could play a part in not just creating something but making something purposeful.
I began my path towards becoming an architect at Wentworth Institute of Technology but withdrew to complete a Fulbright-Hays scholarship in Xi’an, China for 8 months. I studied Chinese language and culture and later interned at a small office in Beijing focused on affordable housing solutions, it was then that I moved back to the States and completed my Bachelor of Architecture degree from Rhode Island School of Design. In 2022, I completed my master’s in architecture from the IAAC in Barcelona, Spain where I focused on sustainable and ecological design.
Outside of your work at Shepley, are there communities or groups you’re involved in?
This past year, I participated in AEC Tech’s 2023 Conference Hackathon where, over 24 hours, my team and I were challenged to identify and develop a hack that would benefit the AEC industry. My team developed Furn-e, an app that allows designers to based specific furniture pieces, architectural finishes and materials from AI generated images, essentially packaging the whole process from generating your image to identifying and buying potential products into one seamless experience without having to jump around from one app to the next.
This was the first time I’ve participated in an event like this, but it was an incredible experience that has inspired me to seek out other communities, groups, and events in the AEC industry.
What do you envision for the future? What do you hope to see – for yourself and for the industry?
I envision further integration and embracement of technology in the future of the industry. Technology continues to evolve, and we with it. When the iPad was released over a decade ago, it changed how we draw, render, and present to clients. Today, we’re presented with new technology like VR and AI, which again is changing how we design. I’m excited to engage with the technology that’ll be available in the future and how it’ll once again reshape the industry.
What I envision for myself in the future is to complete my master’s and become a practicing architect. I’m particularly interested in seeking opportunities to create a nexus between rural and urban design. In a globalized society, rural vs. urban environments provide identities to those areas. I’m interested in exploring how we can bring the rural world into the fold through design and technology, making it feel less isolated, while at the same time bringing the unique characteristics of the rural environment into the urban environment.
What do you do for fun in your spare time?
I love spending time with my friends and family, perusing Google Earth endlessly, playing city simulator games, hiking, and traveling. Each year, my friends and I plan a trip to explore different countries, our most recent trips bringing us to India and Iceland.