Dossier: Hilda Espinal

Name:  Hilda Espinal
Firm:  CannonDesign
Years in practice: 23
Education: Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Masters in Information Systems from DePaul University.  
Your first job: Receptionist at Laboratorios Roldan (Dominican Republic-my country of origin)
Project you’re proudest of: Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago
What’s the most annoying thing architects do? Design for people and display people-less spaces!  And I am guilty as charged waiting for spaces to vacate before taking that perfect picture/shot.
Favorite tool (can be digital, drafting, physical,…): So hard to pick ONE, so I’ll have to say my mobile.  If there is no trace of an event in it, it very likely doesn’t exist/won’t happen  <wink>
Favorite building: Taj Mahal
Favorite outdoor space: Wherever the ocean displays grandness and infinite horizons.
Architect you’d like to have a drink with:  Zaha Hadid
Best gift to give an architect: Knowledge.
If you hadn’t become an architect, what would you have been? Zoologist.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where? I love to travel, I’m an explorer. So I’d have to say I’d be that nomad changing residency, regularly,  country after country, culture upon culture, change excites me.
What’s on your iPod/Pandora/Spotify? Mecano, Of Monsters and Men as well as a myriad of songs I know the lyrics and meaning  to, even though  I don’t speak the language(s) (Brazilian, Japanese, Turkish, etc.)
Why I am an AIA member: It is commitment to our profession, advancing it, directing our future.
Advice to young architects: Practice as soon as you can (hop on that internship) and keep eyes wide open onto the plethora of non-traditional paths to advancing as a design professional.