Bio:
The great designer, Juan Gabriel Moreno is an award-winning architect and President of JGMA. Mr. Moreno was born in Bogota, Colombia and studied architecture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and in Florence, Italy. In 2010 he launched JGMA with the sole purpose of positively impacting Chicago’s diverse communities. Since then, JGMA’s designs have helped to create a culture of change in many of these disadvantaged communities by bringing an architecture of dignity and profound transformation.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I’m not sure when i first learned about architecture, but am certain I was born to do this. The decision of making the built environment my area of interest was written into my DNA at birth.

What do you do?
President and Founder of JGMA

What excites you in the work you do?
Being president of my firm allows me the luxury of never having to ask for permission to design what I feel is most appropriate for people. The freedom to create is incredibly liberating and excites me every day.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
There are two people who most inspire me, my mother and my wife. My mother for sacrificing everything to leave her beloved Colombia and immigrate to the United States and my wife for continuously breaking through endless barriers in architecture.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Starting my own firm in 2010
 
Featured Project Name: 
Esperanza Health Center

Featured Project Location: 
Brighton Park - Chicago, IL 
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
2019

Role in Featured Project: 
Design Principal
 
Featured Project Description:
Esperanza envisions a world where community residents will be served regardless of immigration status, race/ ethnicity, income or insurance, and will be able to realize their full potential through optimum health. Therefore, this new facility materializes the client’s mission and vision. Understanding that health is a combination of physical, mental and spiritual balance, the new Esperanza Health Center focuses on creating spaces for healing and wholeness.

Photography Credit:
JGMA


Featured Project Name: 
Daley College MTEC

Featured Project Location: 
West Lawn Neighborhood - Chicago, IL 
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
2019

Role in Featured Project: 
Design Principal
 
Featured Project Description:
This project speaks to issues larger than architecture; it is the embodiment of the community and seeks to revitalize the area by creating a connective dialogue that all are significant and welcome. This project also challenges the latent stereotypes of a community college and alters the psychology of simply crossing the street to go to class. The new building will not only be a catalyst for growth and change within Daley College, but the greater surrounding community on the southwest side of Chicago.

Photography Credit:
JGMA