The story of our current leaders began the same way every great partnership does: with heart and connection.
The architecture community in San Francisco is tight-knit and though Cecilia and Julia had never worked together, in the early 90’s, they became fast friends at industry social events.
In 1995, Julia convinced Cecilia to do the AIDS ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, where they bonded over their work, families, and a cause they deeply believed in.
In 2000, Cecilia joined Fred Quezada at Quezada Architecture and together they continued to build upon the thriving practice Fred founded in 1994, while Julia continued to establish herself as arespected leader in the corporate world.
When Fred took a well-deserved retirement in 2019 and Cecilia began looking for a new partner at Quezada Architecture, she knew she needed someone distinctive. Someone who shared her values.
At a chance meeting at yet another industry social event,the two picked up right where they left off, catching up on their careers, their kids, and the passion they share for architecture and design.
Today, Cecilia and Julia lead QA with the same heart and drive that first brought them together. It’s what fuels their design, leadership, and the trust they build with every client. When projects are long and decisions are demanding, you want the right team in your corner.
Love your architect.
Give Back
We believe in creating spaces where everyone belongs—and that extends beyond design.
From adopting Highway 101 to serving meals with Glide and St. Anthony's, we invest in the communities where we live and work.
Culture is Queen
At QA, culture isn’t an afterthought — it’s our foundation.
As a women-led architecture and design firm, we believe leadership rooted in empathy, curiosity, and clarity creates stronger teams and better work.
Our diverse hiring practices bring together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences — and we see that diversity as a creative advantage. We foster a studio environment where ideas are welcomed from every level, collaboration is intentional, and mentorship is meaningful.
We work hard, but we also find the fun. Whether it’s rethinking how we collaborate, celebrating wins (big and small), or creating space for new ideas to surface, working at QA is energizing, supportive, and deeply human.
Because when culture is strong, great work follows.