Q: Where are you from?
I was born in Siberia, Russia and spent all of my childhood and adolescence there. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not cold all year around, a lot of Siberia has four seasons and springtime is glorious (it typically comes pretty late, snow fully melts around May). When I turned 18, I moved to Saint Petersburg, Russia with my family and went to college. I lived there for four years before moving to the United States for grad school.
Q: Where did you go to school?
I went to college in Saint Petersburg, receiving a bachelor’s degree in international relations. Afterwards, I went to Lincoln University in Oakland for grad school, majoring in business and finance. And finally, I decided to change my career path, and pursued an architectural and interior design program at UC Berkeley, which led me to where I am today!
Q: Tell me about your family.
All my family is in Russia. I try to visit them as often as I can, but lately it’s become almost impossible. I have a younger brother who is a UX designer and a younger sister who is a freshman in college. She is currently studying to become a structural engineer and was hugely inspired by my career path.
Q: What is the last show you binge watched?
The Last of Us. Funnily enough, I’ve been really into foraging and learning more about mushrooms as of late. Mycelium is a fascinating stuff and I’m not surprised there is a show (and a video game) about humans turned into zombies by mushrooms.
Q: Did you pick up any new hobbies during quarantine?
I got more into baking. I really enjoy not only how technical baking is, but also how sometimes you need to trust your gut and experiment with ratios and flavors. And of course, I appreciate when people enjoy what I’ve made. I’ve also decided to learn Italian.
Q: What is the most interesting aspect of architecture to you?
The most fascinating thing about architecture is that buildings and humans have an unspoken connection. There is a dialogue between people and the spaces they inhabit. Client needs, preferences, and desires are what make each project unique. I also believe that there’s a bond between the built environment we craft and live in and its natural setting.
Q: What kinds of projects do you most enjoy working on?
The best projects are the ones where the client trusts your vision but also pushes your creative mind. I like working on houses that are simple, elegant, and have a sense of belonging to the site. I also like when everything has a purpose, and the design is fully functional.
Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?
- Open floor plan
- Substantial fenestration to welcome in more natural light.
- Repurposed/salvaged materials like marble countertops in the kitchen – that’s every baker’s dream. I’m also constantly aware of how much natural stone ends up in landfills post demolition, and how special it would be to give it a second life.
- Reading nook.
- Custom designed shoe display. I’m a shoe addict and collect designer shoes, so it would be nice to have a way to showcase my entire collection.
Q: Where are you from?
I grew up in Tehran, the mountainous capital city of Iran. I moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a couple of years when I was high school and then went back to Iran for a few years before moving to Oregon!
Q: Where did you go to school?
I studied architecture at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Living in the rural town of Eugene was a big contrast to the urban lifestyle I was used to. Eugene is a perfect college town, and I grew to love it over the five years that I lived there.
Q: Tell me about your family.
I have an older brother who works in tech and lives in South Bay with his wife, my parents are business owners and live back home in Iran.
Q: What is the most interesting aspect of architecture to you?
I’m mostly fascinated by the impact of space and architecture on people’s everyday lives and how it can enable them to lead a better, happier, and healthier lifestyle. What I love about residential architecture is the opportunity to create a space and a home that is a direct reflection of a family’s values, dreams, and what they aspire to be.
Q: What kinds of projects do you most enjoy working on?
I like working on a wide variety of projects that are new and offer a lot of learning opportunities. I enjoy working with clients who are adventurous and open to new ideas!
Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
Complete a triathlon, successfully crash a stranger’s wedding, and climb mount Fuji!
Q: Favorite SF hidden gem?
Jack Early Park in North Beach!
Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?
I would want a large library with floor to ceiling shelves and a reading nook, large windows and lots of natural light, a lap pool, a sun filled art studio, and a large outdoor deck!
Q: Where are you most excited to travel next?
Argentina and Japan have been on my travel list for a while, and I hope to visit them soon!
Q: Where are you from?
I am originally from Waverly, Tennessee. I feel that growing up in a small town of 4,000 people shaped me in many ways. Even though I have left and explored, I always love the feeling of driving back into my hometown. I love that it feels like nothing has changed at all, but then every now and then there’s a surprise that keeps things interesting.
Q: Where did you go to school?
I studied architecture at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. This experience opened my world to study abroad, which was quite literally life changing for me. The first study abroad trip I took was around the Gulf of Finland. From the moment I landed in Sweden, I knew that traveling was going to be a big part of my life. The opportunity to learn about architecture by experiencing it within a cultural context was profound for me. Following this trip, I went on to do a semester abroad in Krakow, Poland. This love for travel eventually led to an opportunity to work abroad in Indonesia building Bamboo architecture. My time on the island reignited my creative spirit and helped me see design from a new perspective.
Q: Tell me about your family.
My family is all from Tennessee. Most of them live within miles of each other, many on the same street. My parents are my biggest supporters and what I am most grateful for in my life. They have been incredibly patient with me as I have pushed the boundaries and forced them to leave their comfort zones on multiple occasions. I also have multiple families across the world, both human and animal. My Bali family is near and dear to my heart as they helped me through one of the most adventurous and challenging times in my life.
Q: What is the most interesting aspect of architecture to you?
Most of my experience is in hospitality design and I have always aspired to work on single family residential. In both project types, I get to help design an experience and create the backdrop for so many life moments. My work in Bali was highly focused on how a person feels in a space and how materials can impact that feeling. This work deepened my passion for architecture and interior design. Combining this concept with the framework of the senses and elements is where I find so much joy and possibility to create an impact through design.
Q: What kinds of projects do you most enjoy working on?
Residential design. I love the idea that I get to help shape someone’s daily life. A person’s home is the place they should feel the most themselves and the most comforted. This is the place where they will have their morning coffee and spend time with their family. Where they will make major life decisions and host milestone events. It’s where they will come back to after a long day and find solace. It’s a huge gift to give to someone and a very meaningful relationship to me.
Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
- Travel to as many places as possible! Would love for my parents to see the places I’ve lived abroad and to show them how much it means to have had their support along the way.
- Dance in a flash mob! I have actually done this once before and am patiently awaiting the next opportunity.
- Like most architects, I dream of building my own house!
Q: How does your personal identity shape your design practice?
I feel my identity has shifted and built upon itself with every new experience. I am a very different person than I was growing up in Waverly, but also the same in many ways. I grew up questioning things. Why things are the way they are and how can they be different or better. I am a very curious person and enjoy learning new things that change my perspective. I feel this is highly important in design. With each new client, I get to learn about their own experiences and unique backgrounds, while also discovering a new site with interesting limitations and possibilities. There is so much to learn from each new project and each time it reshapes the identity I have as a designer.
Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?
- Nooks, lots of nooks!
- Luxurious retreat style bathtub set in nature where I can see the stars and completely escape.
- Secret rooms and passages that create interest and mystery.
- Views of both the sunrise and the sunset. I feel it is important to align my life with the cycle of the sun, but also because I feel these are magical moments that happen every day and should not be missed.
- Seamless indoor/outdoor environment that celebrates the way the environment impacts and weathers spaces over time and is overflowing with edible plants!
Q: Where are you most excited to travel next?
This list is constantly growing and hard to choose just one. I guess I can say I am the most eager to return to Bali at some point. It will always hold a special place in my heart and be a second home to me.
Q: Where are you from?
I’m from a planned city called Goiania in the state of Goias, Brazil. Its urbanism was influenced by the City Garden movement and Art Deco. As a reference, the city is located in the middle of the country, 2 hours from the capital, Brasilia (planned by Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer).
Q: Where did you go to school?
I studied Law in a Catholic University called Pontificia Univerdade Catolica de Goias.
Q: Tell me about your family.
My mother, Zuleika, is a brave matriarch that taught my sisters and I to be independent and to face challenges head on despite all the adversity in the world. I have 2 sisters, Kamilla and Lorena, who taught me every Bon Jovi song, as well as how to bring humor into every aspect of my life. To keep the girl power going, my 2 nieces are the newest additions to the family – they’ve certainly introduced a different way of seeing the world, as well as a little hope for the future.
My partner, my dog, and I enjoy exploring the city, binge watching TV series, and playing video games. We have our own lazy dynamic on the weekends.
Q: What is the most interesting aspect of architecture to you?
I never realized how big of an impact architecture had on my life until recently. Visiting Brasilia as a kid, I always viewed architecture as an art. Now I’ve come to understand that it’s also a way of making people’s lives easier and better.
Q: What is your favorite part about coming into work?
I love interacting with my coworkers and creating a warm and welcoming space in our office.
Q: What is the last show you binge watched?
Severance!
Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
Learn to skate, buy an electric guitar, and go to New Orleans.
Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?
A home theater, a barbecue area, a pool, an arcade room, and a beer fridge.
Q: Where are you most excited to travel next?
Italy.
Q: Where are you from?
I’m originally from a small town called North East; it’s in northwestern Pennsylvania. I usually just tell people I’m from Erie because it’s less confusing that way. Especially when I was living in Philadelphia – everyone assumed I was talking about the northeastern region of the city.
Q: Where did you go to school?
I went to school at Penn State. It’s a bit of a family tradition; my dad, my brothers, and a lot of my family went there. I chose it because I didn’t know what I wanted to study and it’s a large school that offers a lot of different programs.
Q: Tell me about your family.
I have two brothers – one older and one younger. My family and I are tight knit but right now they all live in the DC area. Prior to that we were all scattered but now I’m the outlier on the west coast. I also have a two-year-old niece which makes me feel old; it’s okay though because she’s the cutest child that ever lived.
Q: What is the most interesting aspect of architecture to you?
I like buildings that are situated on interesting or complex sites. It’s a fun challenge to design something that responds to and complements its setting without being overpowering. Beyond the overall design process I enjoy detailing a building. It’s like putting together a puzzle – how do all of the complexities and intricacies come together so that the finished building looks like the original sketches and renderings.
Q: What is the last show you binge watched?
I binged watch For All Mankind. It’s a sci-fi show that depicts an alternate history in which the Soviet Union succeeds in landing the first people on the moon rather than the US. As a result, the space race and cold war never end. It’s a really cool and nerdy premise which is right up my alley.
Q: Did you pick up any new hobbies during quarantine?
Not too many – I got a bit more into board games and definitely watched more TV but other than that I think things stayed relatively the same.
Q: What kinds of projects do you most enjoy working on?
Unsure! I’ve spent a lot of time working on large multi-family projects so I’m excited to transition to smaller ones where we can create more intricate and beautiful detailing.
Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?
Lots of windows! I love having natural light. I’d also want some sort of interesting or relaxing view, outdoor space or spaces, a nice kitchen (after so long living in small apartments I’m dying for a normal sized kitchen), and a fireplace for the coziness factor.
Q: Where are you most excited to travel next?
Asia or South America. No specific destination in mind yet but those are two huge geographic areas I’ve never been to. I’ve traveled through the US a decent amount and I’ve made a few trips to Europe so I’m anxious to try something new.
