Karla Berdeja

Karla was born in the “western spectacle border town” of El Paso, Texas. For Karla, the juxtaposition between these two countries allows for limitless journeys, discovery, and the study of culture for human adaptation. As a child, Karla considered being an archeologist, genetic engineer, and a tornado engineer. Her passion for architecture, the environment, and conservation started when she visited an ancient site in Petra, Jordan. The technology and advanced building methods are fascinating, and she wanted to know more about how to make history. While archeology was her first instinct, her first drafting class was the impetus to pursue architecture.

As a designer in the Higher Education studio, she focuses on design methods of resiliency, sustainability, and conservation of resources. Some of her notable projects include the Research and Discovery Centre for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (LEED Platinum),  the UNT College of Science Space Analysis, the Interdisciplinary Research and Education Building  at UNT Health Science Center (LEED Gold),  and the Experimental Sciences Building II at Texas Tech University, among many others.

A 2012 National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) award-winner. and part-founder of the first-ever Texas Society of Architects, El Paso chapter, along with heavy involvement in LEED building documentation and certification with USGBC, Karla reaches further on every project for our clients and our industry.