Rhonna Del Rio, B.Arch, Assoc AIA, CFSP

I attribute my success to my commitment to continuous learning and my willingness to recognize that there is always something to learn from failures and challenges. My faith is the glue that holds everything together and gives me the foundation to keep moving forward.

I am also determined to find a way through problems while remaining open to different solutions and possibilities. Over the years, I have learned to be patient with mistakes and imperfections and to trust that the creative and professional process will ultimately reveal a path forward.

The best career advice I have received is to recognize the meaningful connections I cultivate with my clients and the value of truly understanding who they are. I believe a home should reflect the individuality, needs, and experiences of the people who live in it. Through the collaborative process of designing and building their homes, I have had clients tell me that they gained a deeper understanding of themselves and emerged from the experience with a stronger sense of personal identity and fulfillment. That has reinforced for me that thoughtful design is not simply about creating beautiful spaces—it can also be a deeply personal and transformative experience.

My advice to young women entering the industry is to step beyond the obstacles you may place in your own path and learn to trust the process. Seek knowledge continuously, invest in your personal growth, and remain open to learning from every experience. Most importantly, stay connected to your genuine passion, curiosity, and creativity. Those qualities can become powerful guides as you develop your own voice and approach to your work.

I see tremendous opportunity in reimagining the relationship between design, art, and human experience. I am passionate about bringing my artistry and architectural expertise together in both residential and commercial projects to create spaces that genuinely align with human needs. My goal is to balance harmony, creativity, design, and art while creating environments that flow naturally and meaningfully.

My own journey into art, which was influenced by my practice of yoga, taught me to approach creativity with greater freedom and openness. After participating in a yoga challenge, I began exploring art in new ways, including creating with coffee filters, appreciating their natural coloration, doodling on them, and allowing myself to let go of preconceived ideas. That experience of integrating yoga and artistic expression deeply influenced how I think about design and floor planning.

I value the freedom to explore creative outlets because that freedom allows me to continue growing and learning within the field of design. I believe creativity is an important part of both professional development and personal fulfillment.

In my design work, I combine human-scale considerations with the practical requirements of the city and the built environment. I begin by considering how people want to feel in a space and how that environment will support them throughout their daily, 24-hour cycle. For me, successful design is not simply about aesthetics or meeting regulations; it is about creating spaces that feel purposeful, balanced, personal, and connected to the people who use them.