Connect with Emilia via LinkedIn
Emilia Cabeza de Baca
Theorist. Advocate. Passionate. Change Agent.
Architectural designer and sustainable justice theorist Emilia Cabeza de Baca is passionate about contributing to the advancement of humanity through architecture. Viewing her role as a designer through the lens of public service, Emilia is inspired to create healthy environments for the communities that she serves by focusing on sustainability and social justice.
“For a system to be truly sustainable, it needs to be just. It has to be fair; things have to be in balance. I call myself a sustainable justice theorist because the answer doesn’t exist yet. No place has the answer, no group of people have the answer, and it changes every day. So all we can do is keep thinking about it and try to imagine what those systems look like and keep trying to do better and better until we find something that works — it’s a continual process.”
Recognizing that sustainability impacts the environment, the individual, and the economy, Emilia explores the interplay amongst these systems to create healthy spaces for people. She believes that the built environment plays a crucial role in providing social justice to the surrounding community, and she is inspired to reimagine systems like education and healthcare given their inextricable connection to the criminal justice system and how society cares for its most vulnerable populations.
Emilia approaches her work with an open mind, recognizing that curiosity about different perspectives is an opportunity to learn and grow. She also finds that patience is a critical element of design, whether selecting materials, during fabrication, or within a team, society, or herself. This mindset allows Emilia to build meaningful relationships with the many partners on a project — from the owner, community members, and stakeholders, to architecture colleagues and engineering consultants.
Architectural Specialties
Justice
Education
University of Washington, M.Arch., emphasis on materials & fabrication
University of Colorado, Denver, BS, Architecture
Experience
1 Years