Vince Hernandez // GFF

Tell us about your PRP firm. Where are you working?

I am working at GFF located in the heart of Austin. GFF’s work consists of projects of all types and is pioneering Austin’s growth. I was looking particularly to work not too far from Austin, and I was blessed with an opportunity to develop in a familiar environment close to home!

Do you enjoy the city you’re working in? Favorite aspects?

Currently on my desk are my iPad, a notebook, my water bottle, leftover coffee, and a couple booklets given to us by presenters from Lunch and Learns. Currently, I’m working between a multifamily complex briefly for a deadline and a smaller scale retail project which I’ve luckily been involved in from the very beginning. Every so often, I am also working through details and renderings for this year’s doghouse design in the Dallas Bark and Build competition, and I’m very proud to be one of many representing GFF. I’ll be taking a trip down to Dallas soon to help the team set up our installation, and we’ll have it displayed for the winter season!

What is currently on your desk? What are you working on?

The atmosphere is calm and focused, and everyone is extremely approachable. It’s a very comforting environment and with the office being a smaller branch of GFF, I feel very close to my peers. There have been plenty of opportunities and resources for me to learn from every person in the office. I’ve been really enjoying the dynamic between the small scale feel of a growing practice and the larger scale foundation of a long-established firm. It’s allowed me to get a broad comprehension of how to better develop my skills and knowledge.

What is the first thing you'll tell your classmates upon your return to UT?  

The first thing I would tell my classmates in my return to UT would be the large level of involvement I’ve felt! At times, I worked between 2-5 projects of different types within the week, and other times I focused solely on one project for long periods of time. It’s refreshing being able to experience firsthand the nuances of the practice every week, and it’s very fulfilling to step into each of these projects at almost all stages of design.