“Architecture draws its identity from its context as well as from its uniqueness. I am thrilled to be joining a firm that shares my passion for design that strikes a balance between form and function, beauty and purpose—serving clients by listening to their concerns, understanding their goals, and sharing in their vision,” said Savakova.

Over the past seven years, Savakova has led or contributed to the architectural design of new signature facilities for the US Department of State, Social Security Administration, the National Guard Bureau, the Air National Guard, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and NASA. Her deft handling of the approval process with the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on sensitive historic sites such as St. Elizabeths Campus and at Joint Base Anacostia resulted in unanimous final design approvals.

“Irena is a collaborative designer who embodies everything we stand for at LEO A DALY. She will be a strong and energetic advocate for the continued elevation of our design culture. This is an important milestone for our office, and I am excited by the prospects for our future together,” said Stephen Wright, AIA, Managing Principal for LEO A DALY Washington, D.C.

Savakova began her design career in Bulgaria. In 1991 she graduated with a Master of Architecture degree and began practicing in the European Union, where she is licensed as a registered architect. In 1995, she earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Maryland at College Park, and joined DMJM-Design (later AECOM) one year later.

The Washington, D.C., office of LEO A DALY is recognized for its 50-year history of design excellence, including important projects such as the National World War II Memorial, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, and the North Terminal of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Current projects include the Intelligence Community Campus – Bethesda, the new North Terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and the renovation of the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design for George Washington University.