Meet Jorge Alain Herrera | Principal Architect : Herrera Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jorge Alain Herrera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jorge Alain, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My talent for visual arts and creative thinking was discovered by my third grade art teacher. She directed me to audition for a magnet art scholarship, and I had the fortune of being accepted to the program at South Miami Magnet Arts starting the following school year. I would enjoy the priviliage of a 2 hour art studio 3 times per week from 4th to 8th grade. You can imagine the wealth of diffferent methods and mediums we were taught in all those years. Sculpture, frescoes, silk screening, not to mention hours and days of still life and portrait drawing. During high school I took AP Portfolio as my art class, and initially wanted a career in Graphic Design. I strayed away from art a couple of times in my adolescense, but always came back. with greater passion. Everyone I run into always asks about my artwork, and that was a way of me seeing myself as others see me. I made a decision to make full use of my talent. If anything was going to set me ahead in this competitive world it was that! My ability to create and to draw. While studying graphic design in college, I needed to transfer from International Fine Arts College to Miami Dade College Kendall Campus. The guidance counselor at MDC suggested I try a semester in architecture. My eyes were opened to an entire new world of art and creativity, and I fell completely in love with architecture.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets us apart from others is that first of all, we do not try to be like anybody else, rather what I and my staff want us to be, ideally. We can learn from others and adopt their best qualities, work habits, business models, organizational structure, etc.; but what makes me want to get up early everyday to be at my desk and work extra hours, is that I am working within the model that we all love. That has allowed me to give each project a level of care and attention beyond what’s expected, to develop deisgn beyond what’s acceptable, and this will beging to show more and more with each project we commence.

My journey has been slower than I would have liked, but I trust in God’s timing, and his timing is perfect. Nothing good or longlasting comes easy. I have also come to understand that it is not the achievement of success itself, but the experience to get there that is most enjoyable and memorable. Even the hardest of challenges, in hindsight bring a smile to my heart. Nevertheless, I always celebrate each win, even if as small as completing another project. You overcome challenges, no matter how difficult when you are on the right path, persevereance is at hand when you visulaize your destination.

I realize after all that I need not try to live anybody elses story, but rather make the best of my own, and set my own higher expectations.One of the biggest lessons I have come to learn, is that 99% of the time, you just need to let things be. Not need to force things.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to take out of town visitors to the north Georgia mountains, visting wineries like Elan or Montaluce, waterfalls such as Ana Ruby Falls, Amicalola Falls, Tallulah Gorge, and we have to spend a day in Helen and another in Chattanooga. When I treat folks to lunch I love going to byGeorge in Downtown Atlanta, Chops or Atlanta Fish Market in Buckhead, but my all time favorite is the Hard Rock Cafe. I always try to find a Hard Rock Cafe when I travel too! For drinks and convo I prefer to host at home. Last, I squeeze in a tour of my residential projects of course!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who I am thankful for that it is tough to name just one or even two. I could name a dozen! Each having played a small roll in propelling me to where I am today. At the forefront are my wife Marianne Herrera who supports and encourages me every day, my magnet art teachers Ms. Fran Brumm and Mr. Herb Summers, my martial arts instructor and life coach Master Al Agon, the late Bill Harrison who always showed so much appreciation to me, the University of Miami School of Architecure for betting on me when selecting 12 out of 300+ applicants, and so many others, each givers of light in my architecural journey.

Website: www.herrera-studio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herrera.studio.architecture/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herrera.studio.architecture

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jorgeherreraarch

Image Credits
Renderings by: Very Visual Studio