With over three decades of experience, Diane Hanamoto, Senior Architect III, doesn’t just design buildings—she brings visions to life. She excels in crafting RFP and RFQ responses that not only win projects but also help clients realize their dreams on schedule and within budget. For Diane, success isn’t solely measured by completed buildings; it’s also about nurturing the next generation of architects and sharing the knowledge she has gathered along the way.
Architecture is in Diane’s DNA. Her father, a structural engineer, worked on prominent postmodern projects throughout Chicago. As a child, she would visit his office and play with miniature camels—scale models for developments in Saudi Arabia. For years, she thought model camels were a standard part of the profession. Although she later learned otherwise, this early exposure sparked a lifelong fascination with how buildings shape our world.
Before joining CSHQA, Diane merged two of her passions into one transformative project. As a USA Swimming Official, she brought insider expertise to the North Natomas Community Center and Aquatic Complex, guiding the design, development, and construction of the Sacramento area’s first 50-meter competition pool. It’s a perfect example of how her diverse experiences enrich her architectural work.
Diane’s curiosity doesn’t end at 5 p.m. She’s an avid learner who dives deeply into whatever captures her imagination, often earning new certifications or degrees in the process. Currently, she’s exploring the possibility of learning Gaelic.
Education
MFA Department of Theater, Film & Television, University of California at Los Angeles
BS, Environmental Design, University of California at Davis
BA, U.S. History, University of California at Davis
Licensing and Certification
Licensed Architect: CA
Professional Affiliations
US Green Building Council (USGBC)
USA Swimming Official in Good Standing