COMMITTEE CHAIR BIOS
2×8 Exhibition & Scholarship Committee
Co-Chair: Marco Marraccini, AIA
Marco Marraccini, AIA is a Partner at Abramson Architects in Los Angeles. He received a BS in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Master of Architecture from MIT. Marco practiced architecture in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania prior to moving to Los Angeles in 2010. In his role as Partner at Abramson Architects, he leads various project teams on ecclesiastical commissions, art studios, multifamily, schools, movie theaters, urban retail centers, and creative workspaces.
Marco dedicates much of his free time to working with students from elementary through graduate school. He has been an active member and volunteer with the Kiwanis Club of Culver City since 2010 and acts as SLP Chair coordinating service work with LACES High School, Hamilton High School, and UCLA. Marco loves mentoring students of all ages and previously held a position on the Board of SPARK Los Angeles, a nonprofit that partnered with schools to match underserved 7th and 8th graders with professionals. He is the Partner In Charge of the Community + Mentorship Initiative at Abramson Architects and is currently a Co-Chair of the ACLA’s 2×8 Exhibition & Scholarship Committee.
Co-Chair: Alicia Morales, AIA
Alicia M. Morales is the founder, owner and designer of AM Design Studio. Graduated with her Bachelor of Architecture from Southern California Institute Of Architecture (SCI-Arc). In 2015 she established her design studio beginning with residential projects and minor commercial projects.
In hearing out the necessities of the community she was able to start observing the requests and necessities for the surrounding cities in particular the City of Montebello in becoming the Chairwomen of the Planning Commissioners and being able to help the community grow for the good of the use of coming generations.
She currently contributes to her profession as an adjunct professor at East Los Angeles Community College motivating students to develop a taste and desire for the profession.
Past-Chair: Athenna Lim
Athenna Lim is an LA-based designer and is the Co-Founder of her design practice Studio Barnhaus. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona, Athenna established her own design practice in the midst of the pandemic, specializing in residential projects throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Through ADUs to SB9’s to expansions of existing single- and multi-family residences, she is committed to educating and creating pathways for homeowners to better utilize their properties.
Her commitment to the architectural community is exemplified by her continued volunteer work and leadership in the 2×8 committee. Athenna’s passion for architecture hopes to extend beyond her professional pursuits; she actively seeks to give back to the community that has supported her growth and development as a designer. Through her work with 2×8 and her design practice, Athenna is dedicated to both shaping spaces that enrich the lives of those who inhabit them and helping provide a platform for emerging designers in the industry.
Past Chair: Victor Macias, Assoc. AIA
Victor Daniel Macias, an architectural designer who proudly represents Paramount, CA. Victor embarked on his professional journey at Cerritos College, where he earned an AA degree in Architectural Technology. Subsequently, he graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, College of Environmental Design, obtaining a Bachelor of Architecture.
With a rich background, Victor has contributed his expertise to various architectural firms, specializing in residential and multi-family housing projects. Currently, Victor holds the position of Co-chair for the ACLA’s 2×8 Committee, showcasing his dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation within the architectural community. Through his diverse experiences and leadership roles, Victor continues to make significant strides in shaping the future of architectural design and the betterment of his community.
Community Engagement Committee
Chair: Citlalli Castillo Gonzalez, AIA
Citlalli is an architect and founder at Unfolding Lines Architecture, a studio specializing in planning and design for families and small communities.
She is on a mission to make great design accessible to more homeowners and small developers.
Citlalli is passionate about design, materials, methods, and finding the extraordinary around us. She has over 15 years of professional experience in California and Mexico. Her most enjoyable studio memories before opening Unfolding Lines were working at Drisko Studio Architects, where she had the opportunity to work and learn from exceptional professionals and develop beautiful projects with strong historical backgrounds.
Past Chair: James Botha, AIA, LEED AP
James is an LA-Based Architect specializing in commercial tenant improvements with an extensive background in retail environments and brand story-telling. James hopes his passion for innovative design and connecting creative minds can make a difference in both the community he serves and the next generation of designers. Using a holistic, brand-driven approach to design while embracing analytics, innovation and collaboration, James assists both established and emerging brands tell their story, connect with the end-user and start to build a community.
James has developed and implemented transformative and award-winning design concepts in the global retail market for a number of the industry’s most recognizable and iconic brands. With a portfolio that includes Lululemon, Arc’teryx, Uniqlo, Tesla, Everlane, Wilson, Coach, and many others, James’ hands-on approach, paired with his strengths in creating and leading multi- disciplinary teams, has made him an invaluable asset to his client’s success. “You have to love what you do. The passion to do things right and ensuring that the big picture, as well as the details, are given the attention they require, makes for a successful project and anchors the agent-client relationship. I understand the importance of having clear channels of communication between the various stakeholders over the entire course of the project. It is essential that everyone feels like a team that works together towards a common”.
Co-Chair: Walmir Luz
Walmir is an award-winning designer and entrepreneur with an impressive track record in the design industry. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University, focusing on the planning and vision for NYC 2050 as his thesis.Driven by design with a hunger for innovation, Walmir thrives on pushing boundaries and challenging conventional notions to establish new standards. His expertise spans across multiple disciplines, including architecture, branding, marketing, and design. Throughout his career, Walmir has contributed to major conceptual projects and developments, showcasing his versatile skills and forward-thinking mindset.
In addition to his accomplishments, Walmir is also a co-founder of All Mies, a Los Angeles-based watch brand, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to bring creative visions to life.
Motivated by an unwavering passion for design, Walmir Luz is an exceptional professional who consistently strives to craft immersive experiences and redefine industry benchmarks through his creative endeavors.
Co-Chair: Alise Robles, Assoc. AIA
Alise Robles is a Healthcare Designer at NBBJ. Since graduating from USC’s School of Architecture, she has been involved in a variety of projects, from schematic design to construction documentation to construction administration. She has served as a key team member on multiple projects for top tier healthcare providers in the Los Angeles area. She contributed to the 2017 Patient Centered Design Conference and Innovation Summit where her presentation placed first in the Experiential Design Competition. Alise is dedicated to redefining welcoming and inclusive environments for patients and staff.
Co-Chair: Pema Wangzome, LEED BD+C
Pema Wangzome, is an Associate at SmithGroup who brings a holistic understanding of all aspects of design and construction to her project teams. She has experience in all phases of architecture, from conceptual design to construction administration, working on large and small projects within the Health, Higher Education, and Science & Technology practice sectors.
She is passionate about volunteering and advancing efforts on JEDI related events. She is an active member of the SmithGroup JEDI group and uses that platform to focus on amplifying and strengthening relationships with students and community organizations to help develop a more diverse talent pipeline for the design industry.
Past Chair: Jessica Orlando
Jessica Orlando, as Higher Education Practice Leader at Perkins&Will, focuses on delivering a positive and seamless experience for our Higher Ed clients across the state and around the world. Having managed projects from single room renovations to over four million GSF on campuses across the globe, she consistently delivers projects on time and budget while maintaining consensus around a shared vision.
Jessica is an active member in the Southern California design community, focusing on issues related to equal representation of diverse perspectives in design professions and engaging with future generations of designers, engineers, and contractors. Her work through Architecture for Communities Los Angeles as Founding Chair of the Design by Diversity (DxD) Committee has engaged with more than 200 organizations, education institutions, and companies as well as children of all ages to inspire interest and appreciation for design.
Co-Chair: Ian Dickenson, AIA
Ian is an active member of the academic, visual arts, and design communities, having contributed to numerous exhibitions, publications, and events. He has taught design studio at the University of Southern California, Washington University in St. Louis, and Arizona State University, and has served as an invited design critic for a number of additional academic institutions. He has lectured internationally; contributed to publications, panels, and research journals for institutions such as the Getty Research Institute, the Arid Lands Institute, and the Milken Institute; and is currently a Visiting Artist at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Ian is an associate principal architect at Sasaki and is responsible for heading a diverse array of firm initiatives, including leading design teams, project and firm strategy, creative direction, and carrying out research agendas.
Co-Chair: Isabelle Ulrich
Isabelle works at NAC Architecture and has over 25 years of experience in the field of architecture. She studied and for a short time practiced architecture in Switzerland before moving to Los Angeles. She has participated in designing a variety of projects, but finds true passion in working on educational project where she can do her part in providing a more humane environment for students and teachers.
Chair: D. Michael Hamner, FAIA
For the past 27 years, D. Michael Hamner, FAIA, has been a principal, along with his architect wife, of BArch, Builder/Architects, a Design/Build firm in Los Angeles.
The firm is a licensed architecture and construction company in both California and Hawaii. The firm’s work ranges from institutional (University), commercial, and municipal to custom residential. Primary work includes University Housing and Athletic Facilities to Golf Course Facilities (Clubhouses) located across the U.S. The firm also executes personal land development.
Co-Chair: Jesus Abril, Assoc. AIA
Jesus Abril, Jr., Assoc. AIA, is a designer, builder, artist, and professor. He is a licensed general construction contractor and operates COAB Development, providing design, remodeling and construction services. After earning his Master’s of Architecture degree from SCI Arc, he has served as adjunct professor at East Los Angeles College Department of Architecture, and has taught urban design studios at Cal Poly Pomona’s Landscape Architecture Department.
His background in urban planning and chican studies at UCLA as an undergrad paved the way for his interest in community development and architecture. Jesus was recently hired as an Architectural Associate for the City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Engineering. In this position, he provides construction management support for public works projects ranging from historic theater renovations to homeless housing.
Co-Chair: Justin Sasada, AIA
Justin Sasada has worked on both, the private and public sector while also teaching at the college level, and maintaining his private practice as a licensed Architect. He also enjoys mentoring former and current students and guiding them through the academic and then professional realm. Justin also has design experience in adjacent fields like shoe design, product design, and fashion design.
Co-Chair: Pooja Bagat, AIA
Pooja is an architect with over 20 years of experience in award winning mixed-use and multi-family housing projects. She has designed, detailed and managed diverse built projects that have demonstrated innovative design which have contributed positively to the urban fabric, engage the community, transformed the lives of those who occupy them and have enjoyed exceptional economic success.
Business Development Committee
Co-Chair: Tracy A. Stone, AIA
Tracy founded her firm, Tracy A. Stone Architect, in 1991 in Los Angeles, California. The firm offers expertise in both commercial and residential construction with an emphasis on environmentally sensitive design. Tracy is a member of the US Green Building Council and has been a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and
Construction since 2003. She brings to her architectural practice a working knowledge of sustainable strategies, technologies and materials.
