Women In Construction – Lydia Obispo

What drew you to a career in the construction industry, despite it being traditionally male-dominated?

The gender disparity did not deter me from pursuing a career in this field. I was drawn to this profession because it allows me to showcase my creativity and strong interest in design and problem-solving.  I can create work that can have a meaningful impact on the community. 

What’s been the biggest hurdle you’ve faced on a project?

Challenges include aligning clients’ design expectations with their budgets. Some clients impose unrealistic expectations and deadlines and sometimes fail to compensate us while still anticipating the timely delivery of the projects.

What’s your favorite part of working in the industry?

When I see the finished project. It’s fulfilling to see sketches and ideas transform into a physical product and to work with the client to help realize their vision.

Describe an exciting project you’ve worked on and how that impacted your career.

I have had the privilege of working on numerous exciting projects, but one of which I am particularly proud of is an entertainment/ retail building located on I-Drive. Due to the spatial constraints, we designed a semi-circular structure that integrates harmoniously with the site. Our team successfully maximized every square foot of the area, which resulted in high satisfaction from the client and commendation from the chief planner of the building department. This project underscored the importance of teamwork and effective collaboration in achieving project goals.

Additionally, I was involved in the conversion of an older grocery building into a market and office space. To enhance the potential of this project, we incorporated restaurant and retail spaces as well. This case exemplifies the effective reuse of existing structures, allowing us to adapt and improve the site and create a functional and attractive structure that serves its intended purpose.