Ivan Leon Ramirez

Q: Where are you from?

I am from Porterville, a small farming community in the Central Valley of California. A very fun but secluded place to grow up.

Q: Where did you go to school?

I graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in architecture. Berkeley is a very fun, diverse place that changed how I understand architecture completely. I originally saw architecture as simply an extension of construction, but now I see it as an art form.

Q: Tell me about your family.

I have quite a big family, we were nine, but my family keeps growing! Now it includes eight nephews and nieces, as well as four of my siblings' spouses, bringing the grand total to 21. We are a very close family, regularly getting together once or twice a week - excluding myself, because I now live in San Francisco, and all my family lives in or adjacent to Porterville.

Q: What is the most interesting aspect of architecture to you?

I find form to be mesmerizing, it just impacts so much. Form is beautiful and is one of the primary drivers of a successful project. It also invokes feelings from both the observer and the inhabitant, and influences overall satisfaction. Finally, form can have an impact on climate change - passive strategies primarily finding success based on the overall composition of the building.

Q: What is the last show you binge watched?

I try to stay away from shows for this reason, but The Sopranos was the last show I binged watched.

Q: What kinds of projects do you most enjoy working on?

I enjoy working on all new types of projects. Architecture is about learning and applying that knowledge. So, saying no to a particular project impedes you from a new perspective and of a new idea that can inform your other projects.

Q: What’s your favorite part about coming to work?

My favorite part about coming into work is listening in on project updates and how teams resolve issues in a matter of seconds.

Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?

Designing my own home, attending the 2026 world cup game, and restoring a classic truck to factory condition.

Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?

I would like simple natural landscaping that surrounds the home, tall ceiling heights throughout, curtain walls, an infinity pool, and a large garage for woodcrafts.