Giovanni Peña is the Creative Director of SODA, a multidisciplinary design studio committed to advancing spatial justice through collaborative, community-centered architecture. Born and raised in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, his early experiences with climate vulnerability, informal construction, and displacement, shaped his understanding of design as a civic responsibility. Creativity became his foundation—first as a means of navigating hardship, and later as the catalyst for a career dedicated to service and social impact.

Giovanni earned his Master of Architecture degree with honors from the University of Houston and became a licensed architect and interior designer shortly thereafter. His professional work spans projects for historically underserved communities, hands-on participation in Habitat for Humanity across multiple cities, mentorship of emerging designers, and partnerships with mission-driven organizations. A formative moment in his career came while leading design workshops for children at the Children’s Assessment Center, reaffirming his belief that exposure to creative tools can empower individuals and strengthen communities.

At SODA, Giovanni leads with the conviction that design must be accessible, interdisciplinary, and grounded in the voices of the people it serves. His approach blends rigorous craft with community engagement, hands-on prototyping, and a commitment to equity-driven outcomes. Guided by mentors who shaped his professional trajectory, Giovanni brings both lived experience and design excellence to SODA’s mission of transforming how communities imagine and shape their own environments.