PORTFOLIO / 2023—2026LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

FORM.SPACE.PEOPLE.

Architectural ideas shaped by technical precision, human experience, and an interest in a more sustainable built environment.

EMILIO HERNANDEZ / SELECTED WORKEXPLORE ↓

[01] / FEATURED PROJECTArchitecture · May 2026

Brazilian Primary School overview — **Brazilian Primary School**A nestled refuge for early education

Selected work⁽⁰⁰⁾

[01]

Concentric Echoes

Concentric Echoes is a sculptural bookshelf where form and function converge. Constructed from reclaimed concrete, raw wood, and industrial chains, it embodies a dialogue between materiality and memory. Its concentric layers suggest movement and resonance, reflecting the narratives contained within its shelves.

Objects
November 2025

[02]

Cap Ferret

Creating a bar that is both sculptural and practical is essential because it fuses aesthetic impact with everyday functionality. A sculptural form elevates the space, transforming the bar into a visual centerpiece that draws people in and sets the tone for the environment. At the same time, practical considerations—such as ergonomic layout, durable materials, and efficient storage—ensure seamless operation for both staff and guests. Balancing art and usability enhances the user experience and reflects a thoughtful, intentional approach to design.

Interiors
May 2025

[03]

Drafting

Including high-caliber deliverables supported by detailed renderings significantly elevates the client experience by making the design fully visualized and easily understood. Renderings translate technical drawings into immersive, realistic representations, allowing clients to grasp spatial relationships, materiality, and atmosphere with clarity and confidence.

Studies
December 2024

[04]

Sketches

This sketchbook spread highlights a rigorous exploration of structural and anatomical forms using a basic ballpoint pen. Because ink cannot be erased, this immediate medium demands complete trust in the creative process, turning quick spatial studies into an exercise in permanent visual problem-solving.

Studies
June 2024

[05]

Form Modeling

In contrast to organic fluidity, these structural studies establish a rigorous dialogue between space and abstraction using fundamental shapes and polygons. Relying heavily on balance, rhythm, and symmetry, the staggered vertical elements celebrate the power of spatial simplicity, utilizing basic forms as foundational tools to address complex design challenges.

Studies
April 2024

[06]

Townhome

The townhouse units depicted are designed with the vision of two families dwelling within them. Each townhouse is oriented to maximize access to natural sunlight, which, through thoughtful fenestration, reduces reliance on HVAC systems and artificial lighting. The substantial use of naturally induced light minimizes the need for artificial illumination and supports passive environmental performance. This approach encourages the use of awnings and single-hung windows to control solar gain while maintaining interior comfort and efficiency.

Architecture
December 2024

[07]

Net Zero Apartments

Two massive towers rise from a shared public plaza and feature deep balconies overflowing with dense greenery. A smooth dark dome sits right between their bases on the ground floor. The architecture operates as a self sustaining environment designed carefully around the movement of the sun. Strategically placed solar panels and specific window layouts ensure the structures maintain incredibly low energy usage from the main power grid and achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Architecture
June 2023

[08]

Eco Office Space

In an effort to develop a self-sustaining building, I was tasked with the design and fabrication of a structure achieving net-zero CO₂ emissions and minimal reliance on the power grid. The building was designed with the movement of the sun as a primary driver, using solar orientation to reduce energy demand and support passive performance strategies

Architecture
December 2024

[09]

Solar Pavilion

This pavilion elevates the ancient mechanics of a sundial into a highly calibrated spatial experience. By deliberately integrating a singular, unshaded void within the organically shaped canvas mesh, the architectural canopy acts as a precise solar pointer. This strategic perforation casts a focused, traveling beam of light that actively tracks the time of day across the ground plane, transforming structural shading into a dynamic, time-telling instrument.

Architecture
November 2023

[10]

Brazilian Primary School

The building's layout revolves around a restorative core that functions as a peaceful, acoustic sanctuary anchored by nature. The sweeping earth walls cradle the play area, creating an environment that feels expansive yet entirely secure. Deep overhangs and thick walls form a protective microclimate, while curved, covered walkways allow students to move and explore freely within a naturally insulated boundary.

Architecture
May 2026

[02] / BEHIND THE WORK

Design. Document. Explore.

Ideas grounded
in the details.

I’m Emilio Hernandez, an architectural designer and draftsman based in Los Angeles, California. My work connects technical documentation with a close interest in how buildings and outdoor spaces are experienced.

ABOUT EMILIO