An interview with Isabel Hernandez Destajo - Intern at our Prague Studio

Filipino architecture student Isabel Hernandez Destajo came to Prague seeking international experience and the opportunity to broaden her architectural perspective. During her two-month internship at Chapman Taylor’s Prague studio, she contributed to a major residential project in Baku, gaining valuable insight into new approaches to architecture and urban living. The experience helped her become more adaptable and open-minded, while inspiring her to further explore how ecosystem-based resilience and strategic land-use planning can foster healthier relationships between people and their environment.

You recently completed your internship at our Prague studio. What brought you to Chapman Taylor?

I first heard about Chapman Taylor’s studio in Prague when I joined ECCEDU (European Centre for Career Education) and began looking for an international internship where I could experience both architecture and life in a completely different environmental and cultural setting.

I have always been particularly interested in urban design, but what encouraged me to apply to Chapman Taylor was the studio's diverse work and the range of projects it undertakes. I was excited by the opportunity to experience different sectors and scales of architecture and to learn from a variety of projects and perspectives.

As I am still at an early stage in my career, I wanted to work in an environment where I could gain experience across a broad range of project types and develop a better understanding of the different directions my career could take.

How was your overall experience at Chapman Taylor?

It was a really rewarding experience for me, both professionally and personally. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to contribute ideas to live projects and to learn directly from the knowledge and experience of the architects in the studio.

One example was my involvement in a residential project in Baku, Azerbaijan, where I assisted with the massing concept. As we explored different design options, we had to consider the local context, site constraints and regulations, and understand how these factors influenced the design. The project’s lead architect, Adriaan de Kroon, was very supportive, helping me understand these considerations and guiding me throughout the process.

Did your work experience change the way you see Prague, and what did you appreciate most about the city?

Absolutely. I was very curious to understand how architecture and urban design shape everyday life in Prague. I found myself noticing even the smallest details, from the design of the pavements to the way public spaces are planned, and comparing these approaches with what I was familiar with growing up in the Philippines.

What I particularly appreciated was how Prague feels genuinely designed for people. As a pedestrian, I felt safe and enjoyed the many public spaces where people can meet and spend time, while the excellent public transport made it easy to move around the city. I also really admired how carefully Prague’s historic buildings and landmarks are preserved, helping the city retain its distinctive identity, culture and history.

And, of course, I can’t talk about Prague without mentioning Czech food; I loved smažený sýr! It is definitely something I will miss when I leave.

What’s next for you?

Looking ahead, I hope to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and continue gaining professional experience through apprenticeships as I prepare for the Architecture Licensure Examination (ALE) in the Philippines.

I am also working on a research paper exploring a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework for assessing typhoon-related flood risk in Sorsogon, Philippines. I hope to present the research at a conference and ultimately publish it.

That sounds interesting; could you tell us a bit more?

I have explored a different approach to identifying areas at high risk of flooding by using GIS to combine and analyse a range of environmental, socioeconomic and geographical factors.

My research challenges the conventional idea that architecture should simply respond to existing land-use patterns. Instead, it explores how architecture and urban planning can help reshape future development in areas that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Rather than simply adapting buildings to increasingly challenging conditions, the research considers how design can help create more resilient relationships between people and their environment through ecosystem-based solutions and strategic approaches to land use.

Looking back, would you recommend an internship at Chapman Taylor to others?

Definitely. I would highly recommend this kind of experience. In just two months, I felt that I developed enormously, both professionally and personally. Alongside the knowledge and skills I gained, I became more independent, adaptable and open-minded.

The experience taught me the value of stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing unfamiliar environments, as these are often the situations where we learn and grow the most.

I came to Prague hoping to experience architecture in a different cultural environment, but I gained so much more. I discovered new ways of thinking, gained new perspectives and developed a better understanding of myself and the kind of architect I hope to become. This experience has reminded me that growth often begins when we allow ourselves to be beginners again, open to learning and new possibilities. I am very grateful to everyone at Chapman Taylor Prague for giving me the opportunity, support and space to learn and grow.

If you found Isabel’s experience interesting and would like to join our Prague studio as an intern, please contact our Office Manager, Petra Frankotova, at pfrankotova@chapmantaylor.com