Sophia Hernandez is the first graduate from The University of Florida’s new JAXLab program, an urban graduate studio located in downtown Jacksonville Florida. Hernandez used downtown Jacksonville as well as adjacent riverfront neighborhoods as the primary case study for her graduate research project to fulfill her master’s degree in architecture. Hernandez research involved examining the identity of place, and how tangible and intangible context can inform design decisions. Hernandez’s education in architecture and historic preservation dovetails with her work at CD+UrbanStudio where placemaking and successful urban design are held in high regard. Sophia Hernandez has worked at CD+UrbanStudio synchronously with her studies and was hired as a project designer within the firm upon her graduation in December 2023. While working on hospitality and residential proj