Design Opera Architects is a collaborative architecture and design firm based in Los Angeles California. Our work specializes in integrating both the progressive and the traditional to create contemporary design projects. Founded in 2006, Design Opera develops unique solutions for each project through a process of research, development, and design that tell our client’s story. Design Opera, focuses on creating architecture and design of our time which is critical to the ever-changing conditions of climate, culture, and technology.
Our name represents the complexity in coordination and collaboration that is required to achieve a great project, similar to conducting an Opera.
STAFF
Gregory de Peña
AIA, NCARB | Principal & Founder | Originating from the Dominican Republic, Greg studied vernacular architecture and then earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arizona. He gained experience with residential and commercial architecture while working with Ronchetti Design and Line & Space Architects. He served a 2 year term on the CCAC Advisory Board for the CCDC Redevelopment Agency in Downtown San Diego. He also worked as an adjunct instructor at the New School of Architecture and Design prior to moving to Los Angeles. Greg is a Licensed Architect in California.
Christian Santini
Principal Designer | M.Arch 2 | Christian holds a Bachelor in architecture from the University Iberoamericana in Tijuana, his hometown, and a Master of Architecture from The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). Prior to joining us, he worked as a designer for the award winning design and research firm Estudio Santander and, after receiving his Bachelor in 2008, joined Design Opera. In 2014, he became a partner and is the principal designer in the Los Angles office and is a licensed architect in Mexico.
Bernardo Enriquez
Principal | Born and raised in Tijuana, Baja California, Bernardo received a Bachelor in Architecture from the Universidad Iberoamericana. He develops creative design solutions with his design-build experience that combine the artistic and the practical into realistic and cost conscious solutions. He became a partner in 2014 and is in charge of overseeing projects in Mexico while also coordinating all Design-Build constructions. Bernardo is a licensed architect in Mexico.
Cristina Perez de Leon
Designer | Cristina was born and raised in Moca, Dominican Republic where she received her Bachelor in Architecture at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). She received her Master's in Spain at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) in the Technological Innovations in Edification program. Prior to joining us, she worked at Carribean Lighting in the Dominican Republic and, after arriving in Tijuana in 2016, worked at OYO Hotels and taught a studio course at the Universidad Iberoamericana. Cristina's focus lies in interiors, housing, and other social projects. Cristina joined Design Opera in 2021.
Hector Hernandez
Designer | Hector was born and raised in Tijuana, Baja California where he received his Bachelor of Architecture at Universidad Iberoamericana. Prior to working with us, he worked at T38 Studio and Proyectos Calli, where he worked on a diverse range of residential projects and collaborations with artists and art institutions. Hector's passions lie within creating simple and minimal forms and seeing how people interact within them. Hector joined Design Opera in 2021.
Stefan Zazueta
Website Manager | Born in Coronado, California and raised in Tijuana, Baja California, Stefan is currently studying at Woodbury University and is expected to receive a Bachelor in Architecture by 2023. His passion for creating ranges from building design to graphic design and screen printing on his clothes. He also hopes to venture into furniture design in the near future. Stefan joined Design Opera in 2018.
Litsy Hernandez
Intern | Born and raised in Tijuana, Baja California, Litsy is currently in the Sustainable Projects Program at the Instituto Tecnologico Tijuana (ITT). She is expected to receive her Bachelor's Degree by the end of 2022 and joins us as a school requisite. She is mostly interested in designing social projects and her thesis focuses on Interiors applied as Mediums of Spatial Identities. Litsy joined Design Opera in 2022.