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DCA was established in 1979 by Stephan Castellanos FAIA and Linda Derivi AIA, husband and wife, to serve their clients in Stockton and San Joaquin County.  Since then DCA has expanded its services to include a wide variety of projects throughout the state.  Mr. Castellanos and Ms. Derivi continue to share the values of high-quality design, responsiveness to client needs, sensitivity to context, and efficiency of method, while bringing to projects their varied experience and skills.  DCA includes five licensed architects, a licensed landscape architect, a registered interior designer, project managers, architectural drafters, an urban planner, and support staff.   

Linda Derivi is a member of the AIA and plays an active role in her community, serving on a variety of committees including: the City of Stockton Architectural Review Board; City of Stockton Public Art Task Force; Stockton’s Midtown-Magnolia Advisory Group; Housing Strategy and Downtown Entertainment District committees; the Pittman School Garden Committee; the AIA California Council’s Urban Design Task Force and School Facilities Task Force; and as an advisor to many AIACC Built-Environment Education Program efforts in local schools.  She is a past American Institute of Architect’s Sierra Valley Chapter President.

Stephan Castellanos has been actively engaged in community affairs, including chairmanship of Stockton's preservation board, participating on a number of committees and task forces and supporting the activities and providing leadership for his professional organization, the American Institute of Architects.  During this time, Mr. Castellanos began on a course of leadership with the AIA California Council, serving as a board member, elected Vice-president and elected Representative to the national AIA Board.  While serving on the national board, Mr. Castellanos was elected to serve as Secretary of the organization, a role that is responsible for board policy administration, as well as administration of the rules and bylaws of the organization.

In 2000 Governor Gray Davis appointed Mr. Castellanos to the position of State Architect.  In this role, Mr. Castellanos was responsible for the oversight of design and construction for California’s public schools and community colleges.  In addition, the State Architect is charged with the development of regulations to assure school health and safety.  The State Architect is also the policy leader for the design and construction of the state’s buildings.  During his tenure, Mr. Castellanos developed the Excellence in Public Buildings Program, which remains in use.  This program for public buildings and schools sets out a number of key principles that serve to enhance outcomes, create positive environments that are sustainable and environmentally sound, and that provide the highest value to the citizens of the State of California.

As architects, contractors and business people, Mr. Castellanos & Ms. Derivi fully understand the issues affecting the design and construction marketplace and the challenges that must be addressed to achieve better value.  DCA is a woman-owned business and complies with the State of California's requirements for a Certified Small Business.