Rosa is a respected Designer, Architect,Thought Leader, and Innovator with over 26 years experience, who has led a variety of award-winning and internationally acclaimed projects. When asked "What type of Architecture do you do?" - the best answer, "The kind that hasn't been done before." From the aesthetically minimal, highly technical development of the glass structures for Apple’s original high-profile retail stores, to the innovative and sustainable LEED NC Gold–certified Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business at Mills College in Oakland, California, to emerging markets for corporate R&D clients.
As Founding chair of Equity by Design and AIA SF President 2018 , Rosa has led 2 national Equity in Architecture Surveys, authored AIA National Resolution 15-1 in 2015, and served on the Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee in 2016, '17 and '18. She has presented on" Why Equity Matters for Everyone", in many cities including Boston, New York, Lisbon, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Seattle. Her work has been featured in Architect Magazine, Architectural Record, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, TEDxPhiladelphia and KQED/NPR. She was featured in 2019 at SxSW Places by Design and Cannes Lions Festival. Rosa was recognized as a Metropolis 2019 Gamechanger.
Rosa joined SmithGroup in October 2017 as a Principal in the San Francisco office. She became the Higher Education Studio Leader in 2018 and contributes to workplace design as well as other interdisciplinary projects that tap her expertise.
In her 20 year tenure between 1997-2017 with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Rosa was a founding member of the firm's Bay Area office in 1999 as Project Architect for Pixar Animation Studio's Headquarters in Emeryville.
Rosa is a strong, hands-on designer and vested collaborator; with an ability to build consensus and deliver collaborative solutions in the most challenging situations. She brings strategic planning, well honed design and management skills to every project. Rosa is experienced in leading strategic integrated programming and feasibility studies as well as delivery of elegant solutions.