The DBA leadership team is growing, with a stellar incoming class of new Associates, who have been recognized for their expertise, talent, and commitment.
These exceptional designers and architect are dedicated to furthering the growth and evolution of both our firm and our field. Learn more about them here.
Bryan Alcorn
Home Room: DBA_SFO
Recent Accomplishments: Bryan’s first project with DBA—Tahanan Supportive Housing—opened to residents at the end of 2021. He has been overjoyed to see formerly homeless neighbors moving in, and he has recently participated in a resident focus group to gain feedback on the building.
Fun Fact: Got recruited to lead a ska band in high school.
Fave quote: “Not everything is lost. Responsibility cannot be lost, it can only be abdicated. If one refuses abdication, one begins again.” —James Baldwin
Voted Most Likely to: Be playing guitar today.
Orrin Goldsby
Home Room: Remote
Recent Accomplishments: Orrin is currently Project Architect for Balboa Block F, subsidized educator housing project at Balboa Reservoir in San Francisco. He is the lead of DBA’s ecology and water sustainability working group and was the co-planner of the 2022 Water Conservation Showcase, a flagship event addressing the most pressing water issues facing California.
Fun Fact: Is a reptile enthusiast!
Fave quotes: “If you wish to build a ship, do not divide people into teams and send them to the forest to cut wood. Instead, teach them to long for the vast and endless sea.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Voted Most Likely to: Have a good time, all the time (a la Spinal Tap).
Eckart Graeve
Home Room: DBA_SFO
Recent Accomplishments: Eckart helped move Tidal House on Treasure Island through Construction Documents and Groundbreaking.
Fun Fact: Worked on a masterplan for Treasure Island when in school, then worked at SOM in New York (but did not work on the Treasure Island masterplan) BUT is finally working with DBA on Tidal House, a residential tower, on Treasure Island!
Fave quote: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”—Ferris Bueller
Voted Most Likely to: Not miss any field trips.
Phil Karczewski
Home Room: Remote
Recent Accomplishments: Phil pushed forward the design and planning of the California Cotton Mills and several other adaptive reuse projects and became licensed in 2022.
Fun Fact: Had six consecutive years of perfect attendance from 7th grade until high school graduation.
Fave quote: “It’s me! Peter Parker! Your friendly neighborhood... You know. I’ve come a long way from becoming the boy who was bitten by a spider. Back then, nothing seemed to go right for me, and now…” —Peter Parker, (opening scene of the 2007 blockbuster Spider-Man 3)
Voted Most Likely to: Never miss a day of school.
Aaron Landrith
Home Room: Remote
Recent Accomplishments: As Project Architect, Aaron shepherded Tidal House, DBA’s first tower, from Construction Documents through groundbreaking on Treasure Island in July. Further, he successfully advocated for re-purposing the project’s stand-alone unit mockup as an office space for a local non-profit.
Fun Fact: Actually spent real money to learn card tricks on the internet in high school.
Fave quote: “We often wait for kindness, but being kind to yourself can start now.” —Charlie Mackesy
Voted Most Likely to: Spill something in the DBA kitchen.
Michael Lewandowski
Home Room: DBA_BHM
Recent Accomplishments: Michael saw DBA_BHM’s first local condominium development, Metropolitan 2323, to completion, along with our first local rental apartment building, 20th and 2nd North, following soon after.
Fun Fact: Has launched a satellite into space!
Fave quote: “Every journey conceals another journey within its lines: the path not taken and the forgotten angle.” —Jeanette Winterson Voted
Voted Most Likely to: Work at Starbucks, but ironically.
Meghan McAllister
Home Room: DBA_OAK
Recent Accomplishments: Meghan is the Project Manager for Sunnydale Blocks 3A & 3B, affordable family housing in San Francisco that recently received funding and will start construction in the spring! She is actively involved in DBA’s JEDI initiatives, and leads an internal focus group on community engagement.
Fun Fact: Once got kicked out of Northern Ireland for trying to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity without a visa (now holds Irish citizenship).
Fave quote: “Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”― Mary Oliver
Voted Most Likely to: Tell a completely random story.
Marcell Snodgrass
Home Room: Remote
Recent Accomplishments: Marcell is currently working with the Washington DC Housing Authority on several policy studies and playbook for best practices in Senior housing design. He recently co-designed Africatown Plaza, affordable community housing in Seattle, and was a key creator of DBA’s Equity Framework and Action Plan.
Fun Fact: TBD
Fave quote: TBD
Voted Most Likely to: TBD
Christine Thornton
Home Room: DBA_BHM
Recent Accomplishments: Christine is a key part of DBA_Inside, our interiors studio. She most recently got the brand-new DBA_BHM office—an adaptive reuse of a historic building in downtown Birmingham and our new Southeastern headquarters—up and running.
Fun Fact: Will eventually learn to juggle.
Fave quote: “I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” — Lily Tomlin
Voted Most Likely to: Have the most plants.
Irene Ung
Home Room: DBA_SFO
Recent Accomplishments: A leader in DBA_Inside, our interiors studio, Irene guided the interior design for Jazzie Collins Apartments—supportive homes for formerly unhoused residents that opened recently in San Francisco—and 555 Larkin, affordable family housing in the Tenderloin that will open later this year.
Fun Fact: Was a dancer in the 2016 Rio Olympics ceremony.
Fave quote: “Not all those who wander are lost.” —J.R.R. Tolkien
Voted Most Likely to: Travel the world.
[Note: This event has passed.]