Culture

We are a collection of experiences and a choir of voices.

People

From diverse backgrounds, we come together around shared values. Energized by that collaborative spirit, we encourage each other to do our best work. We are empowered to exercise initiative, embrace ambition, and pursue professional development. 

We are all humans and react to circumstances based on our own experiences. We are not parts that fit exactly in a machine. It takes time and work to find the right fit — whether it is the right project, team, or career. DES encourages our team members in exploring these options and supports everyone as individuals.”
Tracy Wong AIA, DBIA

Associate Principal | Project Executive

I strongly believe in empowering women to be leaders – which in turn helps DES become stronger.”

Jasmeet Kahlon LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Amb

Senior Associate | Project Manager

I have benefited from all my mentors at DES – recognizing each person's strength and potential is a part of the great culture here. DES Partners nominated me for the AIA San Mateo County Emerging Professional in 2014 – and I won the citation award!”

Kenny Hung AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Fitwel Amb

Senior Associate | Director of Sustainable Design

Process

Across disciplines and projects, we share knowledge, confident that ideas are made fresh in new contexts. We mix and remix, designing solutions special to each project and informed by the full breadth of our experience.

At DES, brainstorming and collaboration is not just talking about things. In most cases there's quite a bit of doodling and sketching – any means to communicate an idea more precisely.”
Rico del Moral

Senior Designer

  • My favorite celebrations have been the unique ones: backyard potlucks, a behind-the-scenes tour of Monterey Bay Aquarium, hiking trips, and recently the Charcuterie Challenge at Tunnel Tops park.”

    Kirsten Fordyce-Wheeler CID, NCIDQ, IIDA

    Senior Associate | Creative Director

Projects

At DES, we roll up our sleeves and get to work on complex, top-notch projects with creative, cutting-edge clients. We enjoy the puzzles we solve, feel good about the skills we learn, and take pride in the ambitious goals we accomplish.

Like fine art, the design of spaces should look and feel effortless even though much effort and strife went into them.”

Chris Mateo RLA, SITES AP

Senior Associate | Director of Landscape Architecture

I think every project has certain aspects that are professionally challenging, big or small. With our limited spaces and complex soil formation in Bay Area, there is no straight forward site design. Every project is unique and challenging in its own way.”

Ernest Chan PE, QSD

Associate | Civil Engineer

Purpose

We believe a process that’s agile and flexible produces a place that is the same, a place that inspires ingenuity and promotes creativity. With empathy, we design places where people can thrive, create, and contribute to a better world. 

Tarlton projects inspire me because they strive to support research and development. They are creating spaces for incubators and growing companies that doing things like helping find a cure for cancer, creating tools for detection of new diseases like COVID-19, or improving the environment by reducing the time a tree needs to grow.”

Diana Rangel LEED GA, Fitwel Amb.

Senior Associate | Project Manager

Contact

At DES, new ideas, new skills, and new voices are always welcome

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We are always looking to meet new people and expand our network.

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