Hi, I’m Dimitra Dorbacopoulos, but 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 landscape with both intuition and respect. Immersing myself 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 I immersed myself in classical architecture and historic urban landscapes. Surrounded by centuries of craftsmanship and cultural layering, I developed a deep appreciation for spaces that carry meaning beyond function. I later returned to California to earn my Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, grounding those influences in technical rigor and contemporary practice.

Nearly two decades of experience 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, hospitality, secure government, and commercial environments, informing a calm, precise approach to design leadership at scale.

Kastella Design Studio emerged from a desire to offer a more thoughtful, design driven approach to the built environment. I lead projects from concept through completion with a philosophy rooted in narrative, clarity, and precision. 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 a framework for how people experience place, connect with one another, and move through the world. Through Kastella, I am committed to creating environments that balance beauty and performance, elevate everyday experience, and endure with quiet confidence.

Warmly,
Dimitra “Dimi” Dorbacopoulos, CID, IIDA
Founder and Design Director
Kastella Design Studio