After graduating with a Master’s degree from SCI-Arc in 2002, Marisa Dewa worked for a diverse range of residential architects in Los Angeles, from Mark Mack to Mark Appleton. With a passion for product and furniture design, she once owned an online business designing handbags and t-shirts and has been accused of trying to ‘subvert’ architecture in pushing the boundaries and definition of architectural practice and design.

Marisa holds a BA in history and piano performance from Oberlin College and Conservatory and still plays chamber music in her free time. Born and raised in Honolulu, she also enjoys writing fiction, recently publishing a short novel, The Ghost of Aloha Tower, based on historical fact as well as the myths and legends of old Hawaii.

An avid soccer mom, when she is not practicing architecture (or the piano), Marisa can be found with her husband on the sidelines at any number of soccer fields in southern California, cheering on their son at all of his club soccer and futsal games.