Hope for a better world is not the same as taking direct action to manifest it. Camila Núñez is proactive and a direct agent of creating the kind of positive change that can be seen and measured. She is an M.S. Architect from Columbia University who sees several different avenues and approaches to enable the individual and society to attain a better future. You might have a mental image of an architect and their work, but Camila will redefine this in a way that opens your own mind up to the possibilities. Inspiring and insightful, Camila Núñez has perceived her own means of creating positive change to the spectrum of people in different cultures and walks of life. If a book or film is written about her life pursuits, it would likely be titled something like “The Redefining of our Social Perspective through Architectural Design.” If that seems confusing, you should read on to understand how this remarkable professional is using her skill and talent for the betterment of others. 

Camila was recognized with a nomination for a YouFab Creative Award for her design of a wearable Chest Pump. Aimed at ensuring that all individuals, regardless of biological sex or gender identity, can embrace the joys and challenges of nurturing their child in ways that are authentic and meaningful to them, this device is a significant step forward in dismantling gender binaries that restrict traditional roles of caregiving and nurturing. Camila’s design tackled a few long-held obstacles such as the challenges of body diversity, significant improvements in the facilitation of lactation induction with efficiency, and the environmental/cost implications of components utilized by the system. Ms. Núñez’s design testifies to the concept that technology can catalyze social change by empowering individuals to live authentically.

Exhibiting the versatility of applying her skill and creativity, as well as her empathy, Camila presented the “Common Ground, Streets as Networks of Empowerment” project along with her colleague Pabla Amigo, a visionary concept of reimagining our social common areas to provide greater means for immigrant communities. As two young women living in a foreign land for a time, Ms. Núñez and Ms. Amigo recognized the challenges experienced by immigrants (specifically women) and set about implementing the skills they had to spark positive change. The result of this effort is the Common Ground project which offers essential services such as learning opportunities, healthcare access (including childcare), and spaces for advocacy and justice. An idealistic display of the intersect of architecture and cultural identity, Common Ground questions and redefines conventional architectural paradigms, advocating for a more inclusive approach to both designing and inhabiting spaces. In their redefinition of architectural spaces in Common Ground, Camila and Pabla were profoundly commenting on how positive social change is possible through the spaces we inhabit. Through this project, Camila embarked on a transformative journey into ways that architecture can authentically reflect and integrate diverse cultural identities. Her forthcoming essay, “Space as Praxis as identity, Identity and Subjectivity within the Practice of Inhabiting and Design” will explore how identity is negotiated and expressed through architectural practices. 

Change is manifested by those who take action, not by complacent good intentions. Camila Núñez is clearly driven to combine her love of architecture with the desire to be a catalyst for an upswing of universal betterment. She imparts, “The potential for architecture to address broader societal issues drives is exhilarating. Whether it’s designing affordable housing, creating inclusive public spaces, or integrating sustainable practices, the role of an architect extends beyond aesthetics to making meaningful contributions to society. This sense of purpose and responsibility deepens my commitment to the profession. Being an architect is an immensely fulfilling journey for me as it blends creativity, problem-solving, and the potential to make a tangible impact on people’s lives. What motivates me is the opportunity to design space that resonate with people and enhance their experiences. I am passionate about using design to foster connections, whether it’s between individuals, communities, or between people and nature.”

Writer : Basil Thomson