Luis de Moraes takes pride in the fact that his architecture students find work quickly after completing his classes. Through decades of professional experience and a strong industry network, he has built a reputation for preparing highly qualified candidates.

“When I was new in the industry, finding internships and jobs was not as simple, since we didn’t have the internet,” he said. “It is hard to figure out where to go when you are starting out. I made it my goal to always open the door if someone has the courage to knock.”

De Moraes was born in Brazil but moved to the United States after high school, joining his older brother, whom he had always admired.

“Ten years older, my brother was already working in the design industry and teaching interior and environmental design at UCLA Extension by the time I finished high school,” he said. “As an excellent professional and mentor, he was a great influence and had been my role model since I was young. After I finished high school, he introduced me to the design world, and I decided to follow in his footsteps.”

That introduction led de Moraes to pursue both interior design and architecture. He studied interior and environmental design at UCLA Extension before continuing his education in architecture at California State Polytechnic University. While studying at UCLA Extension, he served as a teaching assistant for several classes and soon discovered, much like his brother, that he found teaching deeply fulfilling.

After completing his education and spending several years working for internationally recognized architecture and interior design firms, de Moraes launched his own practice nearly 20 years ago, EnviroTechno Architecture Inc., with offices in Los Angeles and Torrance.

“We do a variety of projects, ranging from commercial and retail to residential,” he said.

At the same time, he continued teaching, eventually joining the same institution where his brother had taught: UCLA Extension. Thirty years later, he remains just as passionate about the classroom.

“I love what I do. In my industry, you have to always aspire to excellence,” he said. “But even with all I know, I understand that there is and always will be more to learn. That’s something I try to pass on to everyone I meet.”

Over the years, de Moraes has taught studio courses, design classes, construction detailing, and more. His AutoCAD course is a perfect example of his curiosity and adaptability as an instructor.

“Funnily enough, there were no courses for it, so I taught it to myself,” he said. “Once I learned it, I taught it to others including my ex-instructors from the design program. I think I’m probably one of the oldest users of the program, in fact.”

One of his favorite aspects of teaching is guiding students who are just beginning to understand the demands of architecture and interior design. Success in the field requires a unique blend of creativity and technical expertise — something he is passionate about helping students develop.

“Most students don’t enter the design program wanting to be technical designers,” he said. “But to be a good artistic professional in this industry, you have to understand the technical side. That makes you much more qualified. When I see my students get excited about their work and challenge themselves, I can’t help but get excited too.”

That confidence in his students often leads de Moraes to offer them opportunities at his own company or connect them with positions elsewhere in the industry. For him, helping students launch their careers is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching.

“Often, other companies reach out to me because they know the type of students I train,” he said. “They say, ‘Luis, who is the pick of the litter? I need somebody who’s a good designer, but who can also problem-solve and resolve things from a technical perspective.’ And lucky for them, I know just the right people.”