Yoshi Jimenez

Associate / Knowledge Integration Lead (she/her)

Yoshi, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, is passionate about creating spaces that strengthen communities and improve lives. With a career deeply rooted in affordable housing design and advocacy, she finds purpose in projects that address pressing societal needs and provide lasting opportunities for others.

Born in Mexico City to parents of indigenous Mixtec heritage from Oaxaca, Yoshi is the oldest of four siblings and has personally witnessed the life-changing impact affordable housing can have. This experience continues to drive her commitment to meaningful work that uplifts individuals and families. After beginning her education at a local community college, Yoshi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Outside of work, Yoshi enjoys spending time with family, sharing meals, baking, reading, cooking, and exploring local wineries. She is also passionate about expanding access to education. In addition to volunteering at community events that support children and students, Yoshi serves as a part-time instructor at her local community college and has been a board member of the AIA California Central Coast Chapter. Whether collaborating with clients, mentoring youth, or advocating for equitable design, Yoshi brings heart, thoughtfulness, and a deep belief in the power of architecture to transform lives.

LinkedIn

Thresholds in architecture can be extended or brief as they help us transition from one environment to another - from public to private, light to dark, enclosed to open, bustling to still. Thresholds can diffuse or blur that moment of transition, invoking a sense of deliberate ambiguity. Or they can be definite, either defiantly untraversable or designed to make people hyper-aware of change.

- Amanda Levete

  • Mobile observatory and nature center to enhance learning at Los Flores Ranch Park / Santa Maria Times / Laura Place / March 2021

    Leadership Santa Maria Valley class unveils mobile observatory, children's bedtime story as legacy projects for community / Santa Maria Sun / Malea Martin / March 2021

  • What makes you excited to come to work?

    Being able to pay it forward. Having experienced first hand the impact that affordable housing projects can have on individuals and how the opportunities that can be derived from such can help shape the trajectory of a person's life, my goal is to continue to contribute to such projects, and in doing so provide opportunities to people that they might not otherwise have.

  • What's your happy place?

    A quiet place with a book that completely sucks me in, a drink and/or food, a warm blanket, and just letting my mind go on an adventure.

  • If you could go anywhere (real or fictional, at no cost), where would you go?

    Lake Bacalar, also called the Lagoon of Seven Colors in Quintana Roo, MX

  • What's the best meal you've ever had?

    Probably the last lunch I grabbed at my previous job with a couple of the PM's. Don't think I have ever been told by someone that I've changed their life, let alone two people. Food was good (Thai), but the conversation was the best part, one I will always remember.

  • Coffee or tea?

    Tea

  • What's something that made you smile recently?

    Baby Niece pics :)

  • What are some things your bucket list?

    being able to buy a house, visit japan, visit italy, visit all the prehistoric sites in Mexico.