Leonora Bustamante Sauma is an Architect (licensed in Costa Rica) based in Los Angeles, California. She works as Architectural Designer at Gensler, Los Angeles. She graduated with distinction from the MArch II program at SCI-Arc, Southern California Institute of Architecture, and received a Merit Award for her thesis Captive Objects.
Additionally, she holds a professional Licentiate in Architecture and a Bachelors in Architecture from Universidad Latina in Costa Rica.
Leonora has received scholarships from both SCI-Arc and Universidad Latina de Costa Rica throughout her entire career. Her work has been published in Costa Rica, America, and Europe.
Gensler, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architectural Designer
Architectural Designer for the Lifestyle 7 Studio (Mixed Use and Retail Centers)
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA, US, Assistant Teacher
Assistant Teacher for John Enright & Francisco Pardo's Vertical Studio
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA, US, Teaching Assistant
Applied Studies Seminar “Advanced Building Systems”
Responsible of communications, attendance, grading, and general organization
Instructors: Ilaria Mazzoleni and Jeffrey Landreth
Visual Studies Seminar “Modeling, Tooling, and Computation”
Responsible of communications and personalized assistance with digital design tools
Instructor: Elena Manferdini
Atelier Manferdini, Los Angeles, CA, US, Intern, Architecture and Design
3D modelling and graphic design for several installations, including “Building the Picture”, at Art Institute of Chicago, 2015 and “From Still Life to Living Picture”, for the Design Biennale, Istanbul 2014.
Collaborated with the production of Construction Documents and the design process for the lobby ceiling and glass facade at Zev Yaroslavsky San Fernando Valley Family Support Center.
Worked on other numerous projects doing graphic design, editing and textile design.
Tert'Urbanas, San Jose, Costa Rica, Member of the Logistics Team and Communications Manager
Developed the brand image and graphic design for printed and digital media.
Habitar Magazine, San Jose, Costa Rica, Member of the Editorial Council and Director of the Academic Section
Recruited and led a design team to improve the graphic quality of the magazine.
Responsible for media coverage of major events, including the International Design Festival (FID), Costa Rica’s International Biennale and several architecture seminars.
More than 20 written articles published.
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA, US, MArch, M.Arch II
Master in Architecture. GPA 3.86
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica, Architecture
Licentiate in Architecture
Professional Degree in Costa Rica
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica, BArch, Architecture
Bachelor in Architecture
Graduation with Honours, Honorable Mention
Graduated with Honours, Bachelor in Architecture - Universidad Latina, San Pedro, Costa Rica
Admissions & Continuing Merit Scholarships 2013-2015, SCI-Arc, Scholarship
Admissions & Continuing Merit Scholarships - Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles
2013-2015
Honorable Mention for Thesis Project "Holistic Hospital", Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Honorable Mention
Thesis Project Honorable Mention for “Holistic Hospital” - Universidad Latina, San Pedro, Costa Rica
Admissions & Continuing Merit Scholarships 2008-2013, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Scholarship
Admissions & Continuing Merit Scholarships - Universidad Latina, San Pedro, Costa Rica
2008-2013
