Aldo Buitrago
Designer
Aldo Buitrago
Designer
Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Aldo Buitrago began working as a designer in the Bay Area. After several interior projects, he changed course to gain valuable experience in construction while working for a general contractor. As an extension of Cal Poly’s Learn-By-Doing approach, this role exposed him to the life of projects, from initial bidding through on-site construction coordination. A strong advocate for Integrated Project Delivery, Aldo learned to bridge the gap between design and construction.
Eventually the allure of creativity brought Aldo back to architecture. His ability to work in 3D to communicate and drive projects stems from his passion for storytelling.
Outside of work, Aldo enjoys traveling, being active and being immersed in nature. Prior to joining the team at WDA, he cycled over 8250km through South America, from Colombia to the very end of Patagonia. He is currently writing a book detailing his life-shaping experiences on this adventure.
Anastasia Bespalova
Project Manager
Brenna Daugherty
Office/Marketing Assistant
Chris Telles
Project Manager
Chris Telles
Project Manager
Chris brings strong problem solving and management skills to WDA’s retail, restaurant, and commercial practices. He works closely with our Principals and Project Managers to efficiently execute the design intent. From an early age, Chris has been fascinated by building and the process of design; he’s continually developing his creativity through a combination of experimentation and observation.
Although born in the Bay Area, Chris primarily grew up in Phoenix before heading south to Tucson to earn his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Arizona.
Having spent most of his life in the dry desert, Chris is anxious to explore his new home. He enjoys being adventurous–hiking, traveling, playing sports, and looks forward to trying Bay Area activities not available in Arizona, such as sailing or surfing. Other interests include golfing, cooking, and cheering on his Arizona Wildcats.
Clair Ryu
Designer
Clair Ryu
Designer
A Bay Area native, Clair completed her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California. Raised in a household that values the art of handcrafting, she is very passionate about creating a sense of place and one’s identity within it.
During her time at USC, Clair studied abroad in Italy and learned to see how design, from objects to space making, is a lived-in experience. Her studies in Italy influenced her views on the role of architecture and design in our everyday lives.
Outside of work, Clair enjoys knitting and exploring cities on foot.
Danny van Dijk
Intern
Danny van Dijk
Intern
Danny developed a passion for drawing and design growing up in the Dutch countryside. The landscape’s scenic beauty inspired him to explore his world through sketches and fine art. While studying Industrial Engineering at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and experiencing the beautiful buildings and the urban environment of Amsterdam, Danny became interested in architecture and urban planning and decided to pursue these interests professionally.
During his architectural studies, Danny has worked on projects ranging from multi-family housing to an artist’s residence to adaptive reuse renovations with an emphasize on green building. He values his internship abroad as essential to his education and believes experiencing a different culture will widen his horizons. He was drawn to WDA’s design principles and knows he’ll learn a lot here. So far, he’s feeling very much at home.
Danny hopes to see as much of the Bay Area as possible during his stay in San Francisco. He enjoys wandering around the city and getting to know its different neighborhoods. He’s also eager to go hiking, explore the natural environment, and learn more about California.
David K. Plotkin
Associate Principal - Commercial
David K. Plotkin
Associate Principal - Commercial
David brings to WDA his expertise in sustainable, forward-thinking architecture. As a leader in our commercial practice area, David adeptly formulates responsible modern design solutions. He thrives on negotiating challenges arising from codes, budgets, or environments, and prefers to practice conservation by blending old and new in existing buildings.
Most recently, David founded and operated his own Tucson, Arizona firm, where he concentrated on envisioning and implementing commercial and residential projects built with environmentally responsible practices.
A California and Arizona Registered Architect and a LEED Accredited Professional, David has been practicing and researching sustainable architecture since earning his Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Cincinnati. He has previously served as a Board Member for the U. S. Green Building Council, Southern Arizona Branch. His passion for sustainable design comes from a sense of personal responsibility which he believes should be inherent in contemporary architecture. David’s family shares his enthusiasm for the environment, and together they enjoy exploring the Bay Area’s inspiring natural landscapes.
Dillon Parker
Associate, Senior Project Architect
Dillon Parker
Associate, Senior Project Architect
In his over 17 years of professional experience, Dillon’s keenest interests have been the thoughtful development of design detailing and the intense collaborative coordination of building systems with engineers, general contractors, and other associated design professionals. He’s been party to all phases of design and construction in a variety of sectors, including Commercial TI, Resort Hospitality, Multi-Family Residential, and Skilled Nursing Facilities.
Prior to joining WDA, Dillon managed, designed, and detailed a variety of projects for Bull Stockwell Allen, including snow country projects in Vermont, Colorado and California, hotel projects on the California coast and central valley, and health care projects in Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Earlier in his career he designed, detailed, and observed construction of projects while at ADD Inc.
A California licensed Architect since 2009, Dillon received his Master of Architecture from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and his Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University, participating as an undergraduate in Columbia University’s “Shape of Two Cities – New York / Paris” Architecture program. Outside of the office Dillon is an avid road cyclist who typically logs five to eight thousand miles per year on his bike, and has completed dozens of century touring rides.
Dustin Foster
Project Manager
Dustin Foster
Project Manager
Dustin has cultivated a passion for the built environment through a variety of experiences. A summer as a teenager on a job site provided his introduction to construction. Later, an extended visit exploring the architecture of Spain and Italy became the springboard for his academic pursuits.
Dustin received his BA in Architecture with a focus in structural engineering and urban studies from UC Berkeley. While pursuing his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Oregon, Dustin focused on sustainable design and urban planning and spent the summer between semesters developing valuable building experience by working in construction.
A native Californian, Dustin returned home to the Bay Area and spent several years working for Backen Gillam Kroeger Architects on luxury estates.
Dustin believes in sharing his professional experience to better his community and inspire the next generation. In the fall of 2017 he completed a 10-week residency with Youth in Arts San Rafael’s Architects in Schools program. Dustin taught 4th graders design thinking as a method to approach the challenges of climate change, and demonstrated how to organize and present the culminating project—the students’ proposed redesign of their campus in response to sea level rise.
When he’s not practicing architecture or teaching, Dustin spends time with friends and family at the beach, mountains or skatepark in pursuit of adventure and laughter.
Eunice Lin
Project Manager
Eunice Lin
Project Manager
Eunice brings a strong interest in creating meaningful architecture strongly tied to its site. This perspective stems from her love of learning about the San Francisco Bay Area’s history and cultures and her deep appreciation of its beauty. She is a Bay Area native and has spent most of her life here. Her design interests are supported by her careful attention to detail and coordination, and being a natural born problem solver.
She has a long background in residential projects and has worked on a variety of projects throughout the SF bay area, from Carmel to San Francisco to the Napa/Sonoma Wine country regions. Prior to joining WDA, she worked at BAR Architects and Backen Gillam Kroeger Architects honing her skills on large estate and winery projects.
Eunice received her BA degree in Architecture from University of California, Berkeley, and a Masters in Architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While at MIT, she pursued her interests in studying the connections between architecture, history and culture with summer studies at the L’Ecole des Beaux Arts program at Fontainebleau, and classes focused on travel to case studies in Italy, Egypt, and Costa Rica. She is a licensed architect in the state of California, and a LEED-accredited professional.
Outside of the office, Eunice enjoys hiking, skiing, photography, and travel. Together with her husband she can also be found exploring the area’s amazing restaurant scene and the Bay Area’s many trails with their adorable dog.
Glorimar Irizarry Delgado
Designer
Glorimar Irizarry Delgado
Designer
For Glorimar Irizarry Delgado, architecture is both an art and a science; it is the balanced integration of sensible imagery with a systematic and structured understanding of the physical and natural world.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Glorimar received a Bachelor of Architecture from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. During her architectural studies, coursework abroad in Chile and Spain furthered her delight in the richness of learning from different cultures. Before she was called to a career in architecture, Glorimar also earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with studies in film. She now approaches her design work with an eye towards ways of integrating biology and architecture.
Glorimar is also passionate about the possibilities for outdoor cinema as a means of building community in cities. In Puerto Rico, she founded and ran a non-profit, Cine Urbano, which promoted the use of urban public space in while educating about the art of film.
Glorimar was drawn to WDA’s aesthetic of innovative, yet down to earth, design, and its culture of participating in its surrounding community and fostering a team-oriented work environment. An eager learner new to the city of San Francisco, she looks forward to discovering everything about the Bay Area. A student of the world, Glorimar enjoys traveling and exploring other cultures. Her hobbies include: dancing, yoga, painting and going to museums.
Gustavo Bermudez
Job Captain
Gustavo Bermudez
Job Captain
Gustavo Bermudez earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Born in the historical city of Guanajuato, Mexico, and later raised in California, he credits his bi-cultural upbringing as the source for his keen interest in respectfully fusing innovative design with historical architecture. While earning his degree, Gustavo worked on designing and building several diverse, innovative projects ranging from portable emergency shelters to light fixtures fabricated from recycled water bottles. Gustavo was a recipient of the “Best in Show” award for his thesis “Emerging Gridiron”, which focused on providing an architectural solution to the socio-economic impact of sport arenas in disuse and dilapidation.
After graduation, Gustavo began his professional career with Square Three Design Studios in Palo Alto, working on several multimillion-dollar single family homes throughout the Silicon Valley. In 2013 he joined San Francisco’s Y.A.
Gustavo was attracted to WDA’s diverse portfolio of projects and the positive core values that the office employs, such as participating in charitable events and giving back to the community through design. In his spare time, in addition to pursing his professional licensure, Gustavo also enjoys playing soccer, cooking, co-designing and fabricating furniture with his wife, and traveling to tournaments across North America as a competitive Pokémon player while sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm as a mentor/coach to local children who want to learn to play the Pokémon card game.
Jim Westover
Partner & Principal - Residential
Jim Westover
Partner & Principal - Residential
As a Partner and Principal, Jim provides direct oversight of all of WDA’s residential projects, preparing a strategy to achieve each of our client’s unique goals, and personally manages select high-end residential projects. He meets weekly with the firm’s project managers to review milestones, discuss technical issues and provide quality control for completed drawings.
With a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley, Jim is a California state licensed architect, a LEED accredited professional, and has over 30 years of experience in architecture and interiors.
Prior to joining WDA, Jim had his own practice focusing on residential projects, preceded by 17 years as an associate and senior project manager at FME Architecture + Design in San Francisco, where he managed a variety of projects including corporate campuses, churches, schools, gymnasiums and private residences. For seven years, he served as the pro bono Project Architect for the renovation of San Francisco’s Lincoln Park Steps.
Jonathan Tsurui
Associate Principal - Retail
Jonathan Tsurui
Associate Principal - Retail
Jonathan works closely with William Duff to manage the retail practice. Jonathan’s project experience ranges from concept and original one-off designs to well-established brands, where strict standards must be followed.
Jonathan completed his Bachelor of Architecture with a Minor in Sustainable Environments from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. His interests include golf, foosball, and maintaining his humidor.
Karen Kwong
Project Architect
Karen Kwong
Project Architect
A San Francisco native, Karen has over 20+ years of experience working on high-end, custom residential projects in the Bay Area. After working with millworkers at a local mill shop for nearly 3 years, she also has a deep appreciation for and unique experience in the craft of woodworking.
For Karen, participating in the creative process on a daily basis is a career blessing, and finds being part of a supportive team environment and learning something new daily to be the most rewarding.
She is a proud graduate of San Francisco public schools and the University of California, Berkeley. And while she enjoys all sports, she counts the days until football season begins to cheer on her local team – go Niners! A nature lover and hiker, she often escapes the city, civilization and technology with the occasional outdoor excursion. If she isn’t spinning her Big Band or Jazz records from a bygone era, you might find her with a good book beneath a shady tree.
Maryam Nassajian
Designer
Maryam Nassajian
Designer
Maryam’s passion for architecture originated from her love of fine art. Born and raised in an Iranian city filled with ancient Persian art and architecture, her surroundings inspired her to pursue Persian miniature painting from an early age.
Prior to college, she decided to utilize her talents in architecture—a creative industry that directly impacts people’s lives. With a bachelor’s degree from American University in Dubai and a Master of Architecture from California College of the Arts, she continues to view art as a fundamental component of her work.
Before joining WDA, Maryam worked in a firm specializing in single family housing. Working on numerous intimate small scale projects, she developed the skills to thoroughly comprehend clients’ desires and expectations, and creatively respond to them through design.
Given her artist’s eye, Maryam was intrigued by the way WDA expresses forms through natural materials to blur the boundaries between architecture and art.
When not at work, Maryam is exploring the golden trails of Grand Canyon or the turquoise glacial lakes of Montana, or lost in California redwood forests. She’s most inspired in the wilderness, where nature remains intact.
Neil Ginty
Job Captain
Neil Ginty
Job Captain
Neil completed his architectural studies at the Dublin School of Architecture and brings a strong background in residential and mixed-use sectors from his work in Chicago, the UK, and back home in Ireland.
Neil finds that his organization and communications skills have proven valuable assets in his career to-date.
An avid Gaelic football and rugby fan, Neil reconnects with home by watching early morning matches in Ireland on the weekends. His teams’ frequent near-misses mean he has become accustomed to spending the remainders of his weekends reflecting on how those games went, and lifting his spirits by going for a run or exploring the beauty of Northern California.
Parvathy Nair
Job Captain
Parvathy Nair
Job Captain
Parvathy contributes her strong visualization skills and passion for design to the team at WDA. As a Job Captain, she believes that it is her responsibility to create thoughtfully designed spaces that fit their environment while enhancing social interaction.
With a Bachelor of Architecture and minor in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Parvathy is drawn to the interdisciplinary nature of architecture.
Outside of architecture and design, Parvathy pursues life drawing and enjoys discovering new music at live shows and concerts in San Francisco.
Paul Heemin Lee
Job Captain
Paul Heemin Lee
Job Captain
Paul, an energetic yet focused team player, always has a “Can Do” attitude. He first became interested in architecture when playing with Lego’s as a kid, and realized he could create real buildings someday. With a bachelors in architecture from California College of the Arts, Paul turned his dreams into a reality. His architectural interests include creating innovative and elegant spaces, while tackling the world’s problems.
After graduating from CCA, he focused on retail architecture at MBH Architecture and McCall Design Group, working directly with clients including Levi’s, Men’s Warehouse and Seaside Luxe. After working in retail architecture, he made a leap into civic architecture with SIM Architects Inc.
Outside of architecture, Paul is a camper and fisher, who loves to catch and cook his own food. He strives to continuously learn new things about his passions, ranging from fitness and rock climbing to writing program code. A sponge for knowledge, his creativity is inspired and further expanded by traveling and exploring new places, and attending music festivals and art shows.
Phoebe Lam
Associate, Director of Operations & Project Manager
Phoebe Lam
Associate, Director of Operations & Project Manager
Phoebe excels at managing complex projects with large numbers of consultants and multiple decision makers. She currently works on projects in all of our practice areas, with a focus on single-family residential and commercial work.
Drawing on experience creating conceptual designs and site plans for 1,000,000 sq. ft. outdoor retail centers, as well as multi-building and multi-block programs and parking layouts, Phoebe also enjoys more intimate, small scale tenant improvements and homes.
In her work, Phoebe seeks a balance between forward-thinking design and a respect for the past; between the principles of modern architecture, and an aesthetic that embraces warmth and texture. She continually looks for new ways to apply sustainable principles and methods in all of her projects.
Phoebe received her BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley. Previously she worked as a job captain with Field Paoli in San Francisco, managing teams on large outdoor retail centers and civic projects.
Wendy Osaki
Associate, Marketing & Office Manager
Wendy Osaki
Associate, Marketing & Office Manager
Wendy brings her experience in graphic design and hospitality marketing to her role as Marketing & Office Manager at WDA. Her work touches on everything from creating a welcoming environment for clients, colleagues and employees, to the design and production of innovative marketing solutions.
Wendy received her BS in Environmental Design with an emphasis in Visual Communication and Graphic Design at UC Davis.
She added marketing to her skill set in her most recent position as Marketing Manager for Hilton San Francisco Financial District. In addition to marketing, Wendy was the hotel’s community service champion and a founding member of their sustainability team. In her free time, Wendy can be found on a jet plane, watching movies or taking a historic home tour.
William S. Duff, Jr.
Founder & Managing Principal
William S. Duff, Jr.
Founder & Managing Principal
William S. Duff, Jr. founded WDA in 1998. He has established an innovative practice with diverse clients and commissions, and is nationally recognized for creating responsible, sustainable architecture. His work is known for its elegant simplicity both in plan and detail, and for sophisticated use of materials, light, and warmth to create innovative modern spaces.
Underlying William’s strategic vision for WDA is the belief that architecture can shape environments and improve communities. A former Eagle Scout, he believes that personal service strengthens ties to the neighborhoods and communities where he lives and works.
William has substantial experience in retail, residential, and commercial architecture, and under his leadership, WDA continues to grow and excel in each of these areas. He has designed flagship stores, retail concept designs, roll-out stores, single and multi-family homes, restaurants, and office spaces.
Before founding WDA, William was an Associate at Kanner Architects in Los Angeles, where he managed the firm’s retail practice. His experience extends to mixed-use, commercial, academic and laboratory buildings, urban master planning, and health-care design. William received his Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and his Master in Construction Management from Colorado State University.
In addition to NCARB and LEED certifications, William holds architecture licenses in five states (CA, CO, AZ, OR, WI). He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the U.S. Green Building Council, and has served on the Marina Del Rey Design Control Board. He is the past President of the Board of Directors of Young Audiences of Northern California and the past President of the Board of Directors of Napa’s diRosa Center for Contemporary Art.