Juliette Benazra

With NMA Since

July 2026

My Life

I was always making things as a kid. In 2D, I spent many hours at the dining room table doodling and collaging. With a cartoonist and an illustrator in my family, I developed an early appreciation for both abstraction and precision. In 3D, I crafted tree swings and scrap wood forts in the backyard. As I got older, I found that architecture was an exciting path to continue ‘making things'. Originally from the East Bay, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to apply these interests to architecture. Post-grad, I have appreciated living in and learning from the natural and built environment of Santa Barbara. Outside of the NMA office, I love a vintage store, live music, or a drive up the California coast. 

My Inspiration

I find a lot of inspiration through the practice of sketching. My sketchbooks take me to new places, and bring my attention to details that I may not have noticed otherwise. With a loose style, I like to capture the ‘feel’ of a place, whether that be in Santa Barbara, the redwoods, or the big city. This has been a great tool for me to explore the more conceptual aspects of site and culture. 

Favorite Memory

My favorite memory was my last full day in Copenhagen, 2023. Famously a cold and dark city, my last day was warm and bright. I biked solo to the beach which was decorated with kites and colorful swimsuits. I then went to my favorite lake, sketching swans and strangers. I rode home with wet hair and blushed cheeks, mentally flipping through all the memories I had from those 10 months studying abroad.