Mika Yamaguchi

Mika Yamaguchi, AIA, LFA, NOMA is a dedicated architect and advocate committed to professional development and licensure support. She currently serves as the Professional Development Chair and Architect Licensing Advisor for DC NOMA, where she helps professionals and students navigate the licensure process, including the ARE, AXP, reciprocity, and NCARB certification. Understanding the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in architecture, Mika is passionate about mentorship and providing resources to empower others in their careers. She believes that by increasing licensure rates, the profession can become more inclusive, fostering autonomy, leadership, and meaningful change.

Originally from Maui, Hawai‘i, Mika brings a multifaceted design background with experience in residential, mixed-use, non-profit, and urban design projects. She has worked extensively in community engagement, visioning, and sustainable building practices, with a focus on strengthening relationships between architects, clients, and communities. Her approach to design is deeply process-driven, emphasizing participatory methods that challenge social and environmental norms to create meaningful, lasting impact.

Beyond her professional contributions, Mika is a strong advocate for equitable housing, multi-modal transit, and vibrant public spaces. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Queens University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Toronto. A Registered Architect in Washington, D.C., and Hawai‘i, Mika is currently a Senior Architect at To Be Done Studio in DC.

In her free time, Mika enjoys running, cycling, reading, and cooking with friends and family. She finds solace in nature and loves spending time at Kapuka‘ulua Beach, where she reconnects with the landscapes that shaped her passion for architecture and community building.