Welcome, Diana Rangel

Who is your favorite architect, and why?

I am inspired by Tadao Ando’s use of light, simple materials, and landscape integration. Coming from humble origins and being self-taught, he was able to become one of the most influential architects of our time.

If you could live in any city or country for a year, where would you choose, and why?

It may not be a secret, but I love Japan and I would love to live there. I plan to visit different cities and explore as much of the country as I can, from north to south and west to east.

I love the contrast and blend of the traditional and modern ways of life and architecture. There is always something new to see around every corner, and Japanese people are respectful, attentive, and detail-oriented. The nature and views are out of this world, and the food is delicious!

What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

I traveled to China in 2016 and visited a temple in Shanxi that was built about 1,500 years ago. The structure is made of wood and is famous for being on the side of a cliff. Called the “Hanging Temple,” it is 246 ft above the ground, and one side of the temple leans on the rock while the other is supported by wood pilasters of about 4″ to 8″ in diameter.

I was able to climb it and go all the way to the top. It was thrilling because the structure would shake with every step, and the amount of people climbing was not being regulated — not to mention the lack of railings on some of the stairs, wood slats acting as tripping hazards, and protruding nails.

If you weren’t in architecture, what would you be doing?

I would have chosen the engineering and astronomy route. My dream job would be working at NASA. I love space, the stars, and learning about life on other planets.

What is your proudest accomplishment in life so far?

In 2019, I volunteered for the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco. The task that I thought would just be setting up chairs or helping set up the event on the day of became a much larger responsibility: I was appointed the Chair for the Parade.

It was a great experience, as I had to coordinate the parade route (which was different from previous years because a new hospital had opened), coordinate with Muni, get encroachment permits from Caltrans (since Van Ness St. is actually Highway 101), and get permits from the SF Police Department (the first and only time I have ever been to a police station). I also had to rent cars for the celebrities, seniors, and parade marshals; coordinate and select the decorations for the floats; communicate with 50 groups (over 1,500 people walked in the parade); and coordinate the timing of the parade on the day of, among so much more.

In 2020, the parade was planned and the festival was cancelled one week before due to the start of COVID.

I enjoyed it and learned so much. I am proud of this accomplishment, and if you haven’t been to the parade, I recommend you go next year in April!