OUR TEAM |
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We are a community of makers, friends, and peers that share a passion for design and the advancement of our social and environmental well-being.
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WILLIAM C. HELM II, AIA, NCarb
Principal in Charge Bill Helm first called El Paso home in 1997. His professional architectural practice spans 16 years and has practiced professionally in El Paso since 2007. Bill was the leading University of Buffalo Architectural Graduate of 2007. Bill specializes in office, multi-family, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse projects. After several years of practice with his former firm in El Paso, Bill launched In*Situ Architecture in 2011 to set a new standard of excellence in design and service in Architecture in Texas. Bill has led the design of a diverse portfolio of projects during his career and specializes in historic and existing building renovations and rehabilitations. Bill is the Principal in Charge and prime point of contact for all projects. Bill coordinates multiple professionals and sub-consultants to create cohesive, successful projects delivered on time and budget. He brings calm leadership qualities, an eye for detail and construction experience to all projects. He oversees all design, facilitates coordination, budget, and schedule for the design team. He is currently President-elect and a board member of the El Paso Chapter of the AIA, Chair of Texas Architects Conference Committee, and an accredited member of Congress for New Urbanism. |
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EDGAR LOPEZ, AIA, NCarb
Design Principal Edgar Lopez has an impressive portfolio spanning over 29 years of practice and has practiced architecture in El Paso since 1995. Before joining In*Situ as a Principal Project Architect in 2012, Edgar practiced at some of Mexico’s and the USA’s leading architectural firms. He holds a Master of Architecture from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). His experience includes feasibility studies, project programming, master planning, new construction, renovations, and additions. Edgar has been recognized in the El Paso community for the commitment and understanding that he applies to each project and his sensitivity to the built environment. Edgar approaches people, architecture, and the environment as interlinking identities underpinned by the assumption that if a building logically belongs in its environment and society, then the people that use that Architecture will feel they belong there. He is committed to providing outstanding service and producing quality, efficient architecture. His communication skills and client/contractor interactions are essential, and he has proven to succeed in the projects he manages. Edgar leads design from schematic to completion, including programming, design, and construction administration. He is currently a board member of the City of El Paso Public Art Committee and an accredited member of the El Paso Congress for New Urbanism. In addition, Edgar was a Guest Professor at Texas Tech University. |
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MARIO SILVA, AAIA
Project Manager Mario Silva joined In*Situ Architecture in 2012 following his Master’s degree and has worked on several of the firms award-winning projects. Besides long walks on the beach at sun set, Mario likes Architecture and Construction as much as his mom’s empanadas. Construction has been an interesting topic for Mario, because it is the act where Architecture gets its physical body. He believes that Architecture can be many things and be represented in many forms like art, poem, philosophy, and affect different cultures, but without construction, Architecture would not be able to reach its maximum potential and expression. That is the reason he enjoys working alongside with contractors and being involved in the construction administration of In*Situ’s projects to start connecting the gaps of construction documents in paper and the physical realm of the design. Mario received his Master of Architecture degree from Texas Tech University in 2011 and his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture also from Texas Tech University in 2009. An advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) operator, he specializes in educational, civic, tenant improvements, and historic preservation projects. |
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CESAR GONZALEZ, AAIA
Project Manager Cesar Gonzalez joined In*Situ in 2012. He has stated that his first exposure to design was at the age of 9 years old, when his family constructed a new porch addition to their home in Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua. Captivated on the new addition by the interaction of form, light and space, Cesar knew he wanted to pursue a career in architecture. During high school, Cesar continued his studies in Architecture attending Center for Career & Technology Education during Junior and Senior year. During these years, he acknowledged hand drafting and AutoCAD training. As a graduate of Texas Tech University, Cesar holds a Master of Architecture (2010) and a 3D Visualization Certificate. Since joining In*situ Architecture in 2012, Cesar has contributed to the design and handling of construction documents on multiple private development, commercial and City projects. As a Project Manager and construction administrator, Cesar is responsible for preconstruction meetings, design and construction phases along with progress meetings, and field observation, communication with the contractor, application for payment review and approval, punch lists and project close out. Cesar reveals a true obligation to high-quality architectural design with each project he touches at In*situ. Highly insightful, quick-thinking, and organized, Cesar has an extraordinary talent for understanding possibilities and applying strategic moves relative to the clients’ priorities. He is currently working on his architectural licensure in the state of Texas, and his NCARB certification. |
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ANEL PASILLAS, AAIA
Project Manager Anel Pasillas joined In*Situ in May 2014 to perform construction administration, specification writing, and project management. She holds a Master of Architecture from Texas Tech University (2009). Anel specializes in civic, education, office, multi-family housing, and medical projects. Anel has an in-depth understanding of building components, materials, and systems. She is committed to providing outstanding service and producing quality architecture. She has led several projects from schematic to completion including programming, design, and construction administration. Anel is known for her personal enthusiasm and ability to communicate and coordinate with all design team members. She is an advanced operator of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and CAD. She is currently working on her architectural licensure in the state of Texas, and her NCARB certification. |
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FERNANDO TREJO, AAIA
Project Manager Fernando Trejo joined In*Situ in February of 2016 as a draftsman and moved his way up to project manager and the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Manager for the firm. Fernando has experience in rehabilitation projects, office tenant improvements, and mixed-use projects. He specializes in presentation drawings and managing the office's software needs. Fernando received his Master of Architecture degree from Rhode Island School of Design in 2014 and his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from University of Texas at Arlington in 2009. As an advanced operator of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and CAD, Fernando combines his understanding of building materials and architectural design concepts to produce efficiency. He has coordinated many tenant improvement projects from schematic design to completion. His design background and communication skills are essential when providing clients with finish options, conceptual designs, and programming needs. As a bilingual designer, he is proficient in providing clear, professional communication to all team members here in the border-plex. He is currently working on her architectural licensure in the state of Texas. |
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JEFFREY HILLMEYER, RA, NCarb
Project Architect for Construction Phase, LEED Specifier Jeff Hillmeyer joined In*Situ in 2016. He has said that he was born to be an architect, having a natural desire to draw and build things from the age of 6. Since 1980 he has worked in architecture firms in San Antonio, Austin, San Diego, Sacramento, Albuquerque, and El Paso. He became licensed in California in 1992, then subsequently in Texas and New Mexico. He has always taken an interest in working on projects to challenge himself, atypical projects such as a Nuclear Enrichment Facility in southern NM, a wastewater treatment facility in Sacramento, CA and a historic detention facility in Anthony, NM. He first came to El Paso for family in 2004, stayed through 2007, and returned in 2016 after living and working in Albuquerque, NM. His focus has turned to quality control, specification writing, and construction administration. A love for the collaboration of building with contractors, he strives to perfect the process, to empower and enable everyone on the team. Jeff received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from University of Texas at Austin in 1986 and his Associate of Arts & Architecture degree from San Antonio College in San Antonio, TX in 1982. He is a registered Architect in the state of New Mexico and a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He has mentored many young architects and his peers over the years. He is an active member in his Catholic church community, member of the Knights of Columbus, loves to play tennis, and a classic motorcycle enthusiast. He has two sons, one soon to join the Navy and the other in his third year of college. |
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ORALIA ESPINOZA
Executive Assistant / Office Manager Oralia Espinoza joined the In*Situ team in March 2017. As an integral member to the office staff, she helps keep In*Situ running in tip top shape. Oralia is the face that greets you as soon as you enter In*Situ Architecture, she is also in charge of the accounting department including invoicing, accounts payable and accounts receivable. |
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RAMINA DEROEE, AAIA
Director of Marketing Ramina Deroee joined In*Situ as Director of Marketing in July 2021. Ramina is an architectural designer with extensive facilities design and project management experience in residential, educational, and industrial contexts. She received her professional Master of Architecture degree from the University of Virginia in 2014 with a focus on implementing environmental analysis in architectural design. She also holds an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate degree in Architecture from Azad University of Tehran (2008), where she gained a background in modern practice and contextualization in architectural design. Before joining in*Situ, Ramina practiced as a project manager at VLK Architects in El Paso, where she managed the design and construction of projects for the Ysleta Independent School District. At Penn State University, she pursued a career as a facilities designer with the Office of the Physical Plant, planning, designing, and re-developing spaces and buildings across the university’s flagship campus. Ramina is the recipient of numerous academic scholarships, fellowships, and awards, including the nationwide Autodesk Excellence in Analysis Award in 2013. |
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Raquel Bitar, AAIA
Project Manager Raquel Bitar joined In*Situ as Project Manager in November 2021. Raquel is an architectural designer with experience/background in design and management of public facilities within the healthcare and educational spheres. Raquel received her professional Master of Architecture degree in 2019 from the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, California, and undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from Texas Tech University College of Architecture in El Paso, Texas. Prior to joining In*situ, Raquel worked with Jacobs Program Management team for El Paso ISD 2016 Bond Program for management of design, new construction, and renovations to sixteen EPISD projects. Raquel has also worked as a research assistant during her undergraduate years and later as an instructor at Texas Tech University College of Architecture in El Paso, Texas, and architectural intern for Huitt-Zollars In. |
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Vincent Van Gato
Archicat Longhair office mascot of In*Situ Architecture. I like to sit on my coworkers' desks and help draw beautiful buildings. I talk to you for treats! |