MELANIE NÚÑEZ
4th-Year Undergraduate at the City College of New York, Spitzer School of Architecture
Melanie was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic’s second largest city; but, she has always lived in a small coastal town with the best beaches of the island. In high school, she was part of the National Orthography Club and won first place. She graduated high school at 16 with Salutatorian honors.
She moved to New York City to study graphic design and architecture when she turned 17 by herself. She has always been actively involved in clubs related to art and nature. She’s currently a member of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS), and CCNY Green. She is currently a fourth-year undergraduate architecture student and an intern at Studio Sofield.
Melanie‘s Fun Facts
Where are you from? Dominican Republic
What is your favorite Latina/x dish? Sancocho (traditional broth with rice)
What is your favorite song by a Latino/a/x artist? Barrio by Yendry
I can crochet traditional centerpieces and table toppers
I grow my own herbs and spices in my backyard
I make the best potato salad in the family
Gardening and Planting Herbs and Flowers. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
What inspired you to study architecture?
I come from a medical field-oriented family but I have always been inclined to art and craftsmanship. Since I was small I loved drawing and making dollhouses. I had a phase where I wanted to be a painter and started my journey but it didn’t feel right. I felt like I wanted to be able to create not just represent on canvas. My strong connection to nature, art, and design appreciation led me to one of the most beautiful fields: architecture.
Charcoal drawings on cardboard. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
Which Latina/x architect/artist influenced you the most as an emerging professional?
Candido Bidó’s work had a great influence on me. His paintings have really strong colors that were often custom made by him. His work focuses on the essence of things which he shows by emphasizing the color over the object. This is the mindset I always intend to achieve for my projects, highlighting the essence over the physical boundaries.
Memory Pools: Proposal for community pools and recreation center in Harlem project, collaboration with Nada Elsayed. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
Name a favorite project completed by a Latina/x Architect. Why is it your favorite?
Organic House by Javier Senosiain. I really enjoy this project because it creates an effect of entering the land as one enters the house. It has a very unique design that divides spaces by day and night and brings them together with an organic language. It highlights the importance of the landscape and the playfulness of the design by creating a strong relationship between inside and outside where they are both equally important.
Second-floor plan of community pools in Harlem, collaboration with Nada Elsayed. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
Are there any organizations that helped you grow in architecture?
Rather than a large organization, I feel that small school clubs and groups had a stronger impact on me. They felt more familiar and real. Being surrounded by people from different backgrounds and cultures and constantly learning from each other is the most substantial experience to be a well-rounded architect.
Technical section of community pools in Harlem, collaboration with Nada Elsayed. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
How does your culture affect the way you design?
My culture has a strong relationship with nature, we respect it because we depend on it. It is part of our culture to design around nature; we keep in mind the existing greenery and landscape and try to build in a non-disruptive way. This influences me greatly because the first thing I think about for my projects is green space, open space, and existing natural conditions to reduce environmental impact.
First architecture review. Drawings of Richard Serra’s Torqued Ellipses and analysis of symmetrical chipboard model. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
If you would talk to your younger self, what advice would you give yourself?
That it is alright to try new things even when you feel confused and uncertain. Stepping out of your self-imposed boundaries will unveil an endless path of opportunities you won’t forget. Don’t hold back on exploring and constantly discovering new perspectives. Be receptive.
Melanie’s Presentation in collaboration with Shane Mangubat. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
What do you want to say to the next generation of Latina/x architects?
Leave a piece of yourself in everything you do. Don’t hold back on raising your voice. Remember that behind every great project there is a person, so devote yourself to making architecture that is human and uplifting.
Paul Rudolph’s Modulightor Model by Melanie Highlighting the “cave spaces” and the paths they create in collaboration with Shane Mangubat. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
Kitchen proposal for a townhouse in Manhattan. - Courtesy of Melanie Núñez.
