Hey listeners, in this episode, I have a conversation with Chris Gongora, a Miami native with Cuban-American roots, Chris's early experiences cycling through the vibrant neighborhoods of South Florida cultivated his appreciation for natural beauty, cultural diversity and unique architecture.

A graduate of Florida International University's Master of Architecture program, Chris's professional journey was inspired by an interest in urban revitalization, particularly in Rust Belt cities. In 2017, he left the plantains and palm trees behind and moved to Detroit, where he has since contributed to the city's renaissance. His work spans a comprehensive range of architectural interventions, including new construction of single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment buildings, as well as significant adaptive reuse and renovation projects.

Beyond his profession, Chris leads architectural bike tours, serves on the board of a local preservation advocacy group, and provides architectural advisory services to small-scale minority developers. Currently, he continues to pour his passion for restoration into renovating his 110-year-old home, a project he shares with his boyfriend and their senior feline companion.

Beyond reminiscing about college, Chris and I delved into the complex mix of guilt and relief that comes with the licensure process. He used powerful analogies to describe the range of emotions he experienced, and they truly resonated with me.

We sketched Paul L. Cejas School of Architecture. You can check out his sketch on our LinkedIn profile. I hope you enjoy this episode!