Meet Felipe Hernandez | Architectural Designer & Bldg Permit Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Felipe Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Felipe, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in South Los Angeles. As son of Mexican immigrants, and first to be born in the US in my family, I always felt a type of responsibility to take the path less traveled by people in my community. I proudly come from a family of street fruit vendors. I spent my summers working with my mom and dad, and during the school year I’d help during weekends. I strongly feel that this combination of coming up in south LA and learning to contribute to our household created a very strong sense of work ethic and thought me many lessons that many young kids don’t typically learn at an early age such as the importance of money management, learning how to overcome failures or big mistakes you might have made, and that even if you are doing everything right sometimes obstacles arise and you have to learn to deal with them head on because somethings will always be out of your control.

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?
I’m the first person in my family to obtain a degree higher than a highschool diploma. I graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Civil Engineering & Building Science emphasis. After graduation I continued to dedicate myself to my education, but now it looked a little different. My goal was to learn a skill, or trade that combined my interests and formal education, but with a twist.

Immediately after graduation I started working for a builder that focused on large commercial properties across Los Angeles. I continued working with builders and general contractors until I landed a position as a plan check engineer with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Here I reviewed and approved thousands of residential projects across the city of Los Angeles. My time and training through the city of Los Angeles is where I saw my opportunity. I met so many home owners who had been scammed or had been ghosted by their architect/designer and I reviewed hundreds of plans whose quality had much to be desired. At the same time I saw architects/designers who really cared abut their client, took pride in their work and deliverables, and had knowledge of the process. These architects/designers were rare. This is where I saw that I could make an impact.

I had knowledge of the system, was certified as a plans examiner hence had intimate knowledge of the zoning code and building code, and had knowledge of producing plans that were on par with some of the best that I reviewed and approved thanks to the education I received in Architecture & Engineering school. And in 2022 is when I made the leap from employee to business owner.

I joined forces with a colleague of mine, Juan V, who is an artist and together we’ve been able to get over 40 units permitted in just over a year of starting LA Lot.

The journey has not come without its challenges. One of the challenges we’ve faced has been that even with the combined experience myself and Juan have, there are still things that we do not know, but whenever we make mistakes we take them as learning lessons and don’t let that discourage us. Being the new kids on the block who are competing with people who have been doing this for 20+ years and are good at their craft has also had its own challenges, but the fact that we are often compared makes us feel that we are doing something right.

LA Lot is a small and mighty firm that produces fully permitted architectural plans to both developers and homeowners. We are able to create designs for new ADUs and single family dwellings, all the way to multi story multifamily dwellings. Thanks to our knowledge of Architectural design and of the latest technology and programs, combined with our experience working with the City of Los Angeles, notoriously one of the most challenging jurisdictions in the nation, we are able to deliver beautiful designs that can be ready for construction much faster than typical designers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being an LA native some of my favorite places that I would take my best friend would be the following:

– Central market for and get some carnitas tacos and a jarritos during lunch time on any day during the week

– To Guelaguetza for Oxacan food. This would be a dinner event most likely during Thursday or Friday evening to catch a live performance and enjoy the vibe.

– For another lunch spot I would have to take them to East LA to try a cemita at El Sapito

– We would go hiking first thing on Saturday or Sunday morning at Griffith park

– For a late lunch on the weekend I’d take them to Paradise cove in Malibu

– For a late night I would take them to a speak easy in down town or Korea town, and then for karaoke in Koreatown

– For the best matcha ice cream in LA i’d take them to a place called Matcha Masters in little Tokyo. To this day it is the creamiest ice cream ive ever had.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother for being there when every I’ve needed her.

My dad for being a setting the example I needed.

Website: https://www.la-lot.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/la_lot_architectural_designs?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felipe-hernandez-eit-cmit-icc-i6-6b0b54123

Image Credits
PC: Juan Villatoro