When Anastasija (Ana) earned her structural engineering degree from UCSD, it was with a focus on aerospace structures. But upon realizing not only would she need a direct connection to find work, but that work would also be focused on refining a particular component—likely for the lifetime of her career—Ana then switched her attention to buildings.

It was at her first job at a small firm she found through Craigslist that Ana filled the gaps where her aerospace-focused degree fell short. She learned to take chicken-scratch sketches to a fully realized home, getting involved in every phase of her projects – from design to construction.

Today, Ana manages DCI residential podium projects, among other project types, across California, with wood as her material specialty. She’s also deepened the connection between the firm’s San Francisco and San Diego offices, cultivating client relationships and bringing new angles of detailing and project management approaches.

Where is your hometown?
I was born in Riga, Latvia and when we first moved to the US, I lived in Chicago. Then we moved to Scottsdale, AZ, then Irvine, CA, then I moved to Merced for 2 years, and then San Diego before settling in San Francisco. I think because I lived in San Diego for most of my adult life, I would consider it my hometown even though I do not have any family there.

What is your favorite piece of historical architecture?
Anything in Italy. I studied abroad in Rome with a program called “Architecture in Rome” – It was awesome. Maybe the leaning tower of Pisa or the Colosseum.

Where is your dream project location?
Abu Dhabi