He received a degree from the Instituto Superior Politécnico José Antonio Echevarría in Havana, as well as from Budapest Technical University. Fornés has worked at the Architecture and Town Planning Metropolitan Offices of both Havana and Budapest, the Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales, as well as at Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co. in Miami. He has taught at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana and currently teaches at the University of Miami and University of Notre Dame. Fornés is also involved with the Cuban National Heritage organization and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.