Today we’d like to introduce you to Mina Greas
Hi Mina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m an Architect, Adjunct Professor, was an Experiential Creative Director, Author of the children’s book The Dream Builders, and a lifelong learner, always seeking the next challenge and surrounding myself with people who inspire me. My path to architecture was shaped by a deep curiosity about how we design, build, and live together. Growing up in Southern California as a child of immigrants, I was surrounded by a rich blend of cultures, landscapes, and ways of thinking. Early on, I was drawn to both the creative and technical aspects of engineering, design, materiality, and construction, all of which converged in architecture. Balancing artistic expression with technical skills, sign me up! I’ve always believed that architecture should be shared by everyone. As Samuel Mockbee put it, “Everyone, rich or poor, deserves a shelter for the soul.”
Beyond the classroom, my experiences shaped my approach to design. Summers spent on Native American reservations in the Southwest taught me the wisdom of living with nature. Instead of cutting down that tree, I look for ways to integrate it into the design. Teaching architecture, sustainability, and design allowed me to share that perspective, mentoring students and developing curricula that connected theory with real-world impact.
My journey took a turn into experiential marketing as a Creative Director leading branding and live events for some of the world’s top companies and brands. There, I honed my ability to tell stories through space, crafting immersive environments that connected people to ideas in meaningful ways. At the same time, I stayed rooted in community work, mentoring at-risk youth in Los Angeles, collaborating with farmers in New Mexico to preserve their water rights and better understand watershed management, and traveling the Mediterranean to learn from ancient cultures.
All of these experiences have shaped how I approach architecture today. I see design as more than just aesthetics; it’s about impact, connection, and pushing boundaries for the better.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am extremely thankful to God for all I have been Blessed with. Challenges were opportunities to level up. As Henry Rollins put it, “Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on.” Every setback was an opportunity to reflect, adapt, and grow. Much like architecture, life is iterative. You refine, you evolve, you push forward.
Fear? It’s just an indicator that you’re stepping outside your comfort zone. Kiss fear on the mouth and keep moving. Constraints are your call to greatness. If you can’t find a solution, you’re not being creative enough. I question everything, even when things are working. “Is there a better way?” If you keep asking that, you’re always innovating.
Without resistance, muscles don’t grow. Neither do people.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Everything I do is built around people, ideas, and creating memorable, shareable experiences, whether in architecture or experiential marketing.
In architecture, I’ve had the privilege of designing and managing over 5,000 projects, covering approximately 44 million square feet and valued at approximately $2.78 billion. My portfolio spans custom residential homes, commercial spaces, multi-family developments, restaurants, churches, schools, and landscapes. My work has been featured at the Architecture and Design Museum in Los Angeles. My focus is on authentic, cost-effective solutions that disrupt conventional thinking. Whether it’s a modern residence or a Mediterranean masterpiece, I blend timeless elegance with fresh ideas to make spaces both beautiful and functional. My goal is to shape experiences, not just objects. To challenge the norm. To push ideas forward.
On the experiential marketing side, I’ve led over 275 branding and spatial design initiatives for brands like Lexus, Toyota, Google, Star Wars, State Farm, Mazda, Workday, and HP. I craft immersive brand environments and campaigns, translating storytelling into physical spaces with budgets up to $47 million. My approach is about creating emotional connections through self-led discovery.
The projects that excite me most are the ones with remote sites, deep cultural roots, and lean budget constraints. When a design has a sense of time and place, it becomes something bigger than a building, it becomes a story, a legacy.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was a daydreamer, and quiet as a kid, always curious about how things were built, especially buildings. I loved playing with Legos and wood-working. My grandpa encouraged that by buying me tools and teaching me how to take things apart and put them back together.
My interests were all over the place. I listened to all kinds of music, deep-sea fishing, played chess, played basketball, and spent a lot of time skateboarding at the beach. Life was an adventure.
Growing up in Los Angeles exposed me to a diverse mix of cultures and perspectives. The contrast of complexity and simplicity in different communities fascinated me. As I got older, I started paying more attention to the built environment and how design impacts people’s experiences. I wanted to be part of designing better spaces for future generations. Both my parents worked really hard and modeled a solid work ethic to both my sister and I. We both accomplished a lot thanks to the sacrifices my parents made.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drystudioinc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drystudioinc/?igsh=YjNtdnA4OWRobWhh#
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mina-greas
- Other: https://www.minagreas.com/ https://a.co/d/aM4Y6PM
