Archinect
Maria Jose Fuentes

Maria Jose Fuentes

Philadelphia, PA, US

 
View Portfolio

About 

I am currently a third-year M. Arch candidate at The Weitzman School of Design. My work revolves around equitable design strategies, public integration, and the architectural performance of color. I have been featured in numerous online and printed publications such as SuckerPUNCH Daily, Pressing Matters 8, UNDER PRESSURE Urban Housing Publication, and A+D Magazine’s Impact. I have been a member of Penn Women in Design for the last three years and currently hold a PR and Marketing chair position. Currently, I am working on my thesis involving colorful and human-centered architectural interventions in West Philadelphia. I have won numerous awards throughout my academic career from my interests in writing, mentorship, and image-making. These include the E. Lewis Dales Traveling Fellowship and the Weitzman School of Design diversity scholarship. Most recently, my work and portfolio were selected by Metropolis Magazine as a Figure100 Competition winner. 

I am currently searching for a full-time architectural designer position where I can become an asset to a team and maintain my focus towards licensure. 

Elsewhere:

Employment 

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, US, Book Chapter Editor

Aided chief editor in editing & revising paper submissions, as well as laying out contents through Indesign. Project sprouted around new speculations in design based on Weitzman School of Design's Penn Women In Design symposium. Additional tasks include coordination with authors, graphic design, book layout design, and writing on subject matter.

May 2021 - current
 

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, US, Graduate Studio Teaching Assistant

Graduate Studio Teaching Assistant for Miroslava Brooks: Supplied resources, critique, and tutorials to a group of 2nd-year M. Arch students for their integrated projects.

Dec 2020 - current
 

Robotic Imaging, Philadelphia, Freelance Revit Modeler

Worked to model existing point cloud structures of buildings in Revit. The work ranges from small residential buildings to larger retail spaces. Final deliverables included Revit Files, sections, floor plans, or interior elevations.

Nov 2020 - current
 

Kieran Timberlake, Philadelphia, PA, US, Architectural Intern

Worked on a range of projects ranging from higher learning institutions to residential homes. Focused on drafting documentation & cleaning schedules on CD’s, and creating graphics for SD.

May 2019 - Aug 2019
 

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Chicago, IL, US, Architectural Extern

Punch-listed projects, shadowed designers and was exposed to a range of projects which allowed for growth in architectural construction.

Mar 2019 - Mar 2019
 

Education 

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, US, MArch, Architecture

I will be receiving my Master's of Architecture in May of 2021; in the three years that I have been at The Weitzman School of Design, I have been a chair of Penn Women in Design; where my role has been PR + Marketing, as well as being involved in symposiums, conversations, and presentations with high-profile women in the architectural field. Alongside this, I will be graduating with a 3.8 GPA and have been featured in the school's publication, Pressing Matters multiple years in a row.

Aug 2018 - May 2021
 

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, US, BArch, Environmental Design

In receiving my bachelor's in Environmental Design, I was a full-time AIAS member, as well as social chair and Co-Editor of Axiom; our student-run publication. I finished the semester with a 3.5 GPA and graduated with honors. Alongside this, I also successfully received a minor in Architectural Fabrication and Product Design.

Aug 2014 - May 2018
 

Awards 

Metropolis Magazine's Future100 Portfolios Competition, 1st Place

Selected as one of the top portfolios in North America by Metropolis Magazine.

2021
 

Published in A+D Magazine's Impact Edition, Other

2021
 

Published in UNDER PRESSURE: Urban Housing Publication [2021], Other

2021
 

Dales Traveling Fellowship Award Recipient, Award

2020
 

Published in Pressing Matters 8, Other

ARCH 501 and 502 projects published in Pressing Matters 8

2019
 

BLTa Competition 3rd place Winner, 3rd Place

BLT architects's one-day competition: 3rd place winner.

2018
 

Weitzman Diversity Scholarship Award, 1st Place

Awarded Weitzman School of Design's Diversity Scholarship

2018
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills