Meet Luis de Moraes | Architect – AIA – ASID – LEED AP BD+C

We had the good fortune of connecting with Luis de Moraes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luis, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Anticipation of current trends and customer service. Clients want to feel special; they want to know that you care and that you prioritize their projects and respond to their deadlines.
You may be a great designer, but being responsive and resourceful is as important. Execution is the best marketing tool. Many creative people do not respond on a timely manners which causes stress to the team and poor results.
Another important aspect of success is associating with a responsive team that follows the same philosophy as you; as the popular expression notes “it takes a village”.
When I founded my company in 1990, I wanted a brand that would last and express our mind set. After a few rounds of possible ideas, I came up with a catchy name that identified our technical knowledge and exhibited our full commitment to sustainability, “EnviroTechno”.
32 years later, we are recognizable as one of the leading architectural firms in our market area and pursued by Clients that share the same ideology.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
To become an architect a person needs to complete a minimum of 10 years including education and actual practice under the supervision of another licensed architect. Only at that point you can qualify for taking the state exam. This rigorous requirement is a minimum competence qualification to ensure quality and respect for the very responsible and complex ability for decision making.

The architect’s role include social responsibility, life safety compliance, environmental impact in addition to good design and practical solutions for daily lives.

The most rewarding aspect of what we do, is the long lasting evidence that our creations have sustained time and still respond to all the objectives established for generations to come.

Of course we love to visit our buildings and see that it turned out beautiful; but beautiful means different things for different people; so learning every time what people find beautiful is always exciting and never gets old.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being an immigrant from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, family and friends are constantly coming to visit LA and always asked for recommendations and my favorite spots which include:

The Getty Museum which is a not only an great location to view the city from many angles; see great art exhibits and also enjoy a beautiful piece of architecture designed by Richard Meier

The Disney Concert Hall which besides offering a variety of great concerts, it is an architectural landmark and one of the greatest expression of deconstructivism designed by Frank Gehry.

Another special place which doesn’t get enough credit is the Magic Castle in Hollywood. All members have to be performing magicians and perform once a year to maintain their membership. The shows change daily, but you do need to be a guest to enter the venue.

As a sports fan that I am, if the season is on, watching the Lakers is always a memorable experience.

During the Summer, a day at the South Bay beaches for a little surf and sun for a true California experience is a must. You may want to stay at H2O Hotel Hermosa Beach, one of my recently completed projects.

Another hidden jewel is a fun casual local restaurant we just finished on Main Street in El Segundo called Tapizon; the fusion between Brazilian Amazon Tapioca tapas and beach style drinks and appetizers.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are three people that had a very important influence in my life: The first is my brother Fernando de Moraes who is also an Architect who taught me quality and attention to detail. He is a successful designer with amazing talent and great recognition.
The second was my instructor, boss and good friend Gary Windish who unfortunately recently passed away. His philosophy of life was always to do the right thing and always prioritize helping others which is the essence of our profession.
And last but not least, was my Cal Poly Pomona instructor Richard Chylinski, who not only prepared me for my Architectural License Exam, but also constantly emphasized the value of following legal and ethical practices.

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