WHAT’S YOUR NAME?
Jesus Chavez
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CHOOSE THE FIELD OF ARCHITECTURE?
It all began when I took on a journeyman position with my uncle’s plumbing company, RS Plumbing. I’ve always been into construction and enjoyed working with my hands but little did I know this job would change my life forever. I used to look at buildings as buildings, I never understood them, they were just cores and shells to me with some glass but one day my uncle took me to a job with whom he had a contract. That company turned out to be Samitaur Constructs who basically developed all the Eric Owen Moss Projects in Downtown Culver City, California. I’ve always been creative and I’ve tried to funnel it in many different ways whether it was with music or writing but I had no idea buildings could move in the way EOM buildings did, it was punk and rebellious to me and refreshing. From there I just dove deep, found the field that I’ve been looking for and haven’t looked back since.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST INTERESTED IN?
Throughout my career I’ve worked on a variety of scales, but as of recently I’ve been working on a tower in Manhattan and it’s sparked my interest in large scale developments.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES SINCE OBTAINING YOUR ARCHITECTURE DEGREE?
I wanna say my biggest challenge has been realizing Architecture has many languages in every phase of development. After my B.Arch, my Architectural language was still very obvious that I just graduated, but as I’ve moved through the phases, I’ve become more in sync with the field.
WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL?
The people, ha ha! The people curated an environment for me that I have never been exposed to. It was truly a gift to attend school with people who thought like me, and had the same interest. Architecture school was not easy, but the people gave it a charm.
ANY CRITICISMS OF THE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE?
I think the on-going battle with Architecture programs is the favoritism it creates amongst professors. It’s really hard to believe in yourself when teachers favor others, and create toxic competition between students.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
Straight out school? I think everyone wants to get licensed, but after 4 years in the field I finally feel committed to licensure. I’d like to climb up the ladder but still find ways to pay it forward with outreach and pro-bono work.
WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARCHITECTS?
That’s a great question, it’s like which era of their lives? Ha ha! I really favor Frank Gehry, but not so much after 2010. Frank’s really early work in California through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s is one of the most creative works I have ever seen in single family residential. I’ve appreciated his diversity in mediums and bringing back the design to the hand through physical models. Amongst others, I really appreciate Marcel Breuer, Lina Bo Bardi, Denise Scott Brown, James Wines, Luis Barragán and Paul Virilio.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BUILDING OR CITY?
It’s definitely New York City, and the Met-Breur.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF YOUR AIA BROOKLYN CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP?
I recently moved here from Los Angeles, so I am looking forward to continuing networking, learning and meeting new opinions.