Mateo Fernandez, a multidisciplinary designer from Quito, Ecuador, with a background in art and architecture, is currently pursuing a Master of Architecture at MIT. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he was honored with the Architecture Faculty Outstanding Senior Award and the Athletic Director's Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Prior to MIT, Mateo gained experience in New York City, working for studios such as Marc Fornes/The Very Many and Bjarke Ingels Group. During this time, he contributed to a wide range of projects, including masterplans, skyscrapers, and products. Among his notable public works are CHAPEA, a 3D-printed habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center, and Telosa, a proposed city for 5 million people.

Specializing in 3D printing technologies and digital fabrication, Mateo is deeply invested in addressing the pressing challenges of the building industry, such as environmental impact, supply chain issues, and labor exploitation. He advocates for the transition to low-carbon biomaterials, aiming to reduce reliance on harmful petrochemical products and enhance sustainability in construction. His work also extends to developing affordable, scalable housing solutions in South America through advanced 3D printing techniques, showcasing his commitment to leveraging technology for social and environmental benefit.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Mateo enjoys magic, tennis, electronics, sculpture, art, video games, and science fiction.