Hi, I’m Dimitra Dorbacopoulos, though most people call me Dimi. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, growing up in the canyons of the San Gabriel Mountains where nature, movement, and independence shaped my earliest understanding of space. Much of my childhood was spent on horseback or hiking remote trails, learning to read the landscape with both intuition and respect. Time in nature remains how I recharge, reflect, and find clarity.

As a teenager, I was the only girl racing cars with a vintage sports car organization, developing an early comfort with speed, precision, and performance-driven environments. That experience instilled discipline, focus, and an appreciation for systems where every decision carries consequence. My relationship to movement continued through professional soccer in Europe, where I learned the power of teamwork, resilience, and spatial awareness under pressure.

My design journey began in Europe, where immersion in classical architecture and historic urban environments shaped my appreciation for proportion, craftsmanship, and cultural continuity. Surrounded by centuries of built history, I developed a lasting respect for spaces that carry meaning beyond function. I later returned to California to earn my Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, grounding these influences in technical rigor and contemporary practice.

Nearly two decades working within leading global architecture and design practices, including formative years at Gensler Los Angeles, shaped my fluency in complex project delivery and interdisciplinary collaboration. My work has spanned healthcare, education, sports and entertainment venues, hospitality, secure government environments, and commercial interiors, developing a calm and precise approach to design leadership within demanding project environments.

Kastella Design Studio was founded from a desire to offer a more thoughtful and design-driven partnership within the built environment. I lead every project with integrity and a clear ethos rooted in collaboration, accountability, and respect for the people and environments each project serves. My work balances architectural structure with organic nuance, blending contemporary and timeless elements to create spaces that feel both intentional and alive.

For me, design is ultimately about how people experience place—how environments support movement, connection, and everyday life. Through Kastella, I remain committed to creating spaces that balance beauty with performance, elevate daily experience, and endure with quiet confidence.

Warmly,

Dimitra “Dimi” Dorbacopoulos, CID, IIDA
Founder and Principal Designer | Kastella Design Studio