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Leonora Bustamante

Leonora Bustamante

Los Angeles, CA, US

 
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About 

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.

Employment 

Gensler, Los Angeles, CA, US, Architectural Designer

Architectural Designer for the Lifestyle 7 Studio (Mixed Use and Retail Centers)

Dec 2015 - Mar 2020
 

Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA, US, Assistant Teacher

Assistant Teacher for John Enright & Francisco Pardo's Vertical Studio

Jan 2016 - Apr 2016
 

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

Sep 2014 - Apr 2015
 

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.

May 2014 - Dec 2014
 

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.

Apr 2012 - Aug 2013
 

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.

Sep 2010 - Aug 2013
 

Education 

Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA, US, MArch, M.Arch II

Master in Architecture. GPA 3.86

Sep 2013 - Sep 2015
 

Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica, Architecture

Licentiate in Architecture
Professional Degree in Costa Rica

Jan 2011 - May 2014
 

Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica, BArch, Architecture

Bachelor in Architecture

Jan 2008 - Dec 2010
 

Awards 

Graduation with Honours, Honorable Mention

Graduated with Honours, Bachelor in Architecture - Universidad Latina, San Pedro, Costa Rica

2013
 

Admissions & Continuing Merit Scholarships 2013-2015, SCI-Arc, Scholarship

Admissions & Continuing Merit Scholarships - Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles
2013-2015

2013
 

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

2013
 

Admissions & Continuing Merit Scholarships 2008-2013, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Scholarship

Admissions & Continuing Merit Scholarships - Universidad Latina, San Pedro, Costa Rica
2008-2013

2008
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills