Team
At EKVA every employee is a strong generalist and a natural collaborator. Each individual brings unique skills and perspectives that are fostered within the office, making each person an essential member of a strong team that creates beautiful spaces with unexpected design solutions.
DInesh PERERA Founder, Partner
Hometown: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Dinesh's early years working on construction sites, in glassblowing shops, and backstage in Cal's scene shop provided a hands-on understanding on the teamwork and collaboration of various skill sets required to achieve well-crafted spaces. Collaborating with the network of skilled and passionate builders and fabricators he has developed through years of design and construction administration, his unique rapport and familiarity with the numerous trades help guide the design and construction process to an exceptional outcome.
After 15 years practicing in custom homes, multi-family, commercial, and health care, Dinesh ventured to build a new firm in 2018, with a set of values distinct from what he had observed in the industry. His approach prioritized cohesive landscape, interiors, and architectural design, diversity of skills and perspectives within an environment of mentorship, and responsiveness to each client's unique life experience and world view.
Katie Handy Partner
Hometown: California Bay Area
Katie is a well-rounded designer with an excellent mentor and facilitator skill set. Her foundation in architecture and landscape at UC Berkeley is supplemented with furniture fabrication and lighting design courses in Denmark and the Bay Area. She guides and educates her staff with her diverse design knowledge, providing growth opportunities and allowing staff to develop respective to their personal interests. During design discussions with teammates and clients, she creates a space of sharing, where all parties are comfortable expressing their goals and perspective, exemplifying EKVA's core value of "creating together". Katie's leadership combines design excellence with facilitation skills to allow many voices to inform one vision.
After an early start in urban design and high-end residential design, Katie transitioned into commercial architecture where she led design and managed teams in restaurant, retail, and office projects. Outside of the office, Katie and Dinesh formed a mutual design ethos by collaborating on architecture competitions, furniture and fixture design and fabrication using a combination of traditional and experimental digital tools. In 2019, she joined Dinesh in growing EKVA into the firm it is today.
Jaime Shen Reid Project Architect
Hometown: Orcas Island, Washington
Jaime, a seasoned architect with a background in commercial architecture, finds true passion in the intimate world of residential design. With a knack for attentive listening and a collaborative spirit, Jaime brings expertise in the technical aspects of the built environment, integrating design with functionality. With a keen understanding of the lifespan of a building and insightful vision of how people will inhabit it, she challenges us to consider all aspects of design from a joyful day-to-day experience within the space to a durable, easy-to-maintain structure. A dedicated professional who loves to laugh, Jaime infuses projects with warmth and a positive attitude, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for both clients and colleagues.
Jaime and Katie met in 2007 at a previous firm where they worked together for 12 years. After over 20 years of practicing architecture with experience in custom homes, food and beverage, and community projects, Jaime joined EKVA in 2021.
Madison Brenner Designer
Hometown: California Bay Area
Madison brings a fresh perspective and highly creative solutions to design challenges. She has a strong interest in the natural landscape and knowledge of a vast library of native plants. Combining her architectural education and landscape knowledge, she designs both interior and exterior rooms, expanding the use of spaces from the confines of the built structure to the open fields of the natural landscape. From her student research on climate disasters, she has brought new concepts on how the landscape can protect the building from wildfire events.
Madison and Katie met in 2019 at an architecture studio project critique where Katie praised Madison's proposal for its thoughtful and refined approach. After reaching out to her professor, EKVA hired Madison as their student intern in 2021. After two years of internship Madison was hired full time in 2023.
Jess Yamauchi Project Manager
Hometown: Kauai, Hawaii
Jess's novel perspective of spaces stems from her performing arts background. She has a vision of how both a space and its occupants together communicate cultural and social values. Combined with her excellent communication skills, she is able to observe a client's lifestyle and translate their goals into well appointed interior selections, conveying the depth and sophistication of her client.
Jess and Katie met at a previous firm in 2018, where she worked closely with Jaime, learning the nuts and bolts of commercial and food service tenant improvement projects. After moving on to work at a high end custom home firm for two years, she joined EKVA in 2022.