Celebrating the one-year anniversaries of Erina Yamada, Amber Snowden, and Katerina Esparza
As 2021 comes to a close, we’re celebrating the one-year anniversaries of three San Francisco designers. Erina and Amber bring their architectural design expertise, creative problem-solving skills, and collaborative working styles to the Bay Area Housing Studio. An experienced designer with in-depth knowledge of color, products, and materials, Katerina provides the Infrastructure and Housing teams with the interior design vision for affordable housing projects and water/wastewater labs. We are so happy to congratulate them on a fantastic first year at MWA, and can’t wait to see the great work they’ll produce in the coming years.
Erina Yamada
“In one short year Erina has become an indispensable team member, she learns fast, asks great questions, and is always friendly and fun to work with.”
– Lee Abuabara
What project(s) are you working on right now?
New construction of 100% affordable housing at 7th and Campbell and Maudelle Miller Shirek, as well as the renovation of Adcock Joyner Apartments.
What project phase is your favorite? Why?
Around early Design Development and Construction Document. That’s when things become a reality and I get to think about details and make fine adjustments.
What’s your favorite thing about working at MWA?
Everyone is very friendly and assists each other when we need help on projects.
How do you maintain work/life balance? During COVID, how have you been maintaining your sanity?
If the team needs help, I don’t mind working extra when we need to get something done. To maintain work/life balance during COVID, my bird screams to remind me that I need to step away from the monitor and play with him (he wants attention). I also hang out with my next-door neighbor often, and we cook delicious food together.
What do you hope to do more of in the next few years?
Continue my education by learning/challenging as much I can, and designing more.
What is your next career goal that you would like to tackle?
Going back to study for the ARE and getting licensed.
Is there a particular architect’s work that inspires you? Why?
I do like Shigeru Ban, specifically the timber construction in Pompidou.
Amber Snowden
“Amber is very enthusiastic and a great member of the housing team. She brings a lot of positive energy to the team she is working with and is always curious to learn new things. We are lucky to have her!”
– Bradley Sugarman
What project(s) are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on the 7th and Campbell project. This is one of our affordable housing projects in our San Francisco office. I am really looking forward to the start of the construction process coming up this winter, it’s definitely going to be a joy to see the drawings come to life.
What project phase is your favorite? Why?
The Schematic phase is my favorite because it gives me a chance to be creative and come up with design ideas that I can present to the team.
What’s your favorite thing about working at MWA?
My favorite thing about working with MWA is that we give back to communities by designing sustainable and affordable housing. That’s one of the characteristics that have drawn me to this firm and is also one of the things that has drawn me to architecture.
How do you maintain work/life balance? During COVID, how have you been maintaining your sanity?
The key to having a work/life balance is to have good time management and to be organized. I found that this has truly helped my workflow. To maintain my sanity during the pandemic, I decided to take on a hobby of growing plants. After work, this kind of hobby really relaxes me, and it can be a joy to see how my plants flourish from my care.
What do you hope to do more of in the next few years?
In the next few years, I hope to inspire more young people in architecture.
What is your next career goal that you would like to tackle?
My next career goal is to have the accomplishment of becoming a licensed Architect. This is really important to me because I will be the first in my family to become an architect and I would become a part of the 0.4% of licensed African American women in architecture.
Is there a particular architect’s work that inspires you? Why?
David Adjaye has been one of the architects I looked up to. I first learned about him in college and I’ve admired his ingenious use of materials and forms he creates for his projects. I also appreciate how he’s always giving back to communities and inspiring people with his designs.
Katerina Esparza
“Kat has become an influential and important asset for our infrastructure team. She is very creative, innovative, and detail oriented. It’s a pleasure working with Kat, and I look forward to collaborating with her on additional projects in the future.”
– Gabriela Alija
What project(s) are you working on right now?
At this very moment I have been putting hours into 2-3 projects:
- Maudelle housing project in Berkeley, CA
- 7th and Campbell housing project in Oakland, CA
- Self Help Credit Union, a small TI down in Southern CA
What project phase is your favorite? Why?
Schematic/Conceptual Design, because the project is still new, and there is still time to play around with the layout and interior design palette. During this phase, the client is usually very excited and open to all sorts of fun, new, and in-style design concepts. I get to spend time sifting through projects on the internet for inspiration and create loose concept boards. During this phase, I can also try to present a new style or palette that I have not done previously in my career but have always wanted to.
What’s your favorite thing about working at MWA?
Do I have to pick one? Because I have a few.
1.) I love how patient and accommodating my colleagues are.
2.) Even though I have only worked from home while I have been at the firm, I have really enjoyed the culture so far. The firm has presented so many opportunities for me to make sure I am involved and socializing with my colleagues whether it is a happy hour or a lunchtime discussion.
3.) There has been a lot of respect for work/life balance.
4.) My most favorite thing though, is how much the firm cares about our experience by checking in with the employees often or before making decisions and giving us a voice.
How do you maintain work/life balance? During COVID, how have you been maintaining your sanity?
By disconnecting before a certain hour in the evening every day. My phone automatically silences work notifications between that certain hour in the evening until 8:30 am the following day. Most days I will block out time on my calendar to exercise or focus on my current work tasks without any interruptions. I always try to be as descriptive as possible when making events on my calendar, so my colleagues know where I am at.
How have I been maintaining my sanity during Covid?
Well, I have learned that I am way more of an introvert than I thought I was, so I have been thriving.
My partner purchased a home right before the pandemic, so I have spent a lot of time doing home projects and redecorating. We also got a cat right after we got our home, and she has been a real joy.
I’m a big Formula One fan. My friends and I got a little carried away with the new fantasy League in 2020, but we’ve calmed down a little this year… just a little.
I also have a lot of hobbies that keep me entertained. Like taking care of an excessive amount of house plants, embroidery, or testing out cameras and then developing my own film.
I have also still been traveling when I can/when the government allows it.
What do you hope to do more of in the next few years?
Continue to travel and visit new countries.
Regarding my career, I hope to improve my 3D modeling skills and continue to bring fresh concepts, color palettes, and materials to every project I am on.
What is your next career goal that you would like to tackle?
At this moment I am mostly focused on passing my NCIDQ exams.
Is there a particular architect’s work that inspires you? Why?
Richard Neutra. I love mid-century design and his homes have always appealed to me. I’m a sucker for clean lines, natural materials, and floor-to-ceiling windows. More natural light means more house plants!