Damaris Fernandez-Sierra

I am a designer committed to using architecture as a tool for community empowerment, equity, and resilience. My work is grounded in the belief that design can act as a catalyst for change, particularly in addressing housing justice, food access, and the creation of inclusive, culturally responsive community spaces. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have pursued projects that reflect these values. As an undergraduate, I participated in the Amherst Bandshell design competition, where my proposal emphasized flexibility, play, and intergenerational connection. In graduate school, I collaborated on a triple-decker housing proposal that reimagined this iconic typology through affordability, adaptability, and environmental resilience. These experiences deepened my understanding of housing as infrastructure for equity. Today, in my career, I have worked closely with housing authorities and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to deliver affordable public housing solutions across Greater Boston. This work centers on improving tenant wellness, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring design serves the public good. For me, licensure is not only a professional milestone but also a pathway to leadership, mentorship, and advocacy—advancing architecture as a practice rooted in empathy, responsibility, and service.