Natalie Marcisz
Q: Where are you from?
I was born and raised in the East Bay - we hopped around from Fremont, to Danville, to Pleasanton.
Q: Where did you go to school?
I received my B.Arch from University of Oregon.
Q: Tell me about your family.
My dad moved to the US from Poland when he was 6. He still speaks Polish a bit, but I wish we had learned more growing up. My parents both spent most of their formative years on the East Coast. My mom moved to the Bay Area right before college, and my dad followed soon after he met her while on a business trip to the burgeoning Silicon Valley. I have one brother who is 2 years older and lives in Santa Cruz. I am lucky that my immediate family all lives close by!
Q: How did you get your start in architecture? What kind of projects are you drawn to?
My parents were very into visiting open houses when I was a kid. They were not necessarily looking to move, it was more of a curiosity and search for potential ideas to use in their own home - a Pinterest of the 90s, if you will. It was a common weekend activity for my family, and while my brother was often complaining about the prospect of yet another open house, I found myself really taking in the seemingly endless possibilities of each home. From these experiences I knew two things at a relatively young age: I was going to live in a French-style chateau with sparkling black and white tiled floors, and I was going to be an architect. Luckily, only one of those things happened.
Q: What makes our office unique?
From my experience so far, the people. Everyone has something unique to contribute to the firm, and I cannot wait to get to know everyone better once we return to the office!
Q: What is the last show you binge watched?
Currently binging Mare of Easttown. A crime drama AND my girl from Titanic? Yes, please.
Q: Did you pick up any new hobbies during quarantine?
Walking. It has been a very cathartic activity for me, especially during such a weird time.
Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
Travel to Ireland and hike the coast with my Mom, complete an oil painting worth hanging, and design my own home.
Q: Have you ever won a contest or award?
One of my most hard-won was the National Champion title with my high school dance team. We went from not even qualifying freshman year, to 1st place our senior year. It made the victory that much sweeter.
Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?
Expansive sunset views, a large central fireplace/hearth, entertaining space that spills out into the yard, a wine dispenser, and my own natural hot spring … but I’d settle for a pool-sized hot tub.
