Catching up with Analía Nanni Dimit

QIn what way do you feel that Dimit Architects has left an imprint on Greater Cleveland development?

AI’m not sure that we’ve “left and imprint” but we’ve been lucky enough to have had a few nice opportunities to build for some really great clients, and we’re just thankful to have those chances… We’re doing what architects love to do, and creating our company with our talented collaborators, as much work as it’s been, has given us that platform.

QAre there any projects that you are particularly proud of?

AI’m proud of all of our projects, but especially love our historic restoration projects and, conversely, our clean and modern new residential work. Some may see these as opposing interests, but they aren’t really. The ASM Headquarters renovation project in Novelty, Ohio, completed in 2012, was a confluence of both interests- a really beautiful mid-century modern masterpiece badly in need of restoration- and was among our most rewarding experiences to date.

QWhat role is your firm playing the re-development of the East Bank of Cleveland’s Flats?

AMy husband and I have participated in one small role or another on the Wolstein family’s East Bank waterfront project team since 2001. We’ve worked on master-planning, residential, office, and entertainment planning studios to develop conceptual renderings for Scott Wolstein’s vision, with guidance from his development partners at Fairmount Properties.

QWhat does your work with Andrew Brickman, the developer of 27 Coltman, 11 River, and Clifton Pointe townhouses, say about your design philosophies?

ALike Andrew, we admire the clean lines, transparency, and light, open interior spaces of a more contemporary architectural expression. With each of his townhome developments, Andrew has challenged the conventional perception of residential design, and we’re thankful to have been part of his story. I’m especially proud of 11 River townhouses in Rocky River and the interiors of some of those residences, which our team designed.

QAre you and your husband still debating whether to grow the firm or maintain the status quo?

AWe’ve expanded our staff incrementally based on the demands of the projects that we are currenty working on. However, we feel that we learned some valuable lessons from the 2009 recession, and we remain cautious about how we practice architecture and how we maintain the design quality that our clients expect from us. Slow growth is sometimes more seasoned and responsible.

QAny future projects you can divulge?

AWe are excited about a number of new residential, entertainment, and master-planning projects in the Ohio City and Tremont neighborhoods. We’re also working on renovations for the three major historical downtown arcades, which are such amazing jewels and among the most unique and historically significant urban spaces in the country.

QHow does a girl from Buenos Aires wind up in Cleveland.

ADuring my last year of architectural studies, I came to visit my cousins living here in Cleveland and fell in love with the city. Also Cleveland offered many opportunities for architecture and urban design for a young designer. So I went back to Buenos Aires, graduated, and came back again with my diploma and one goal in mind- to find a job in Cleveland. I interview with a number of great downtown firms and eventually was hired by GSI Architects, a firm with ties to projects in South America. Not only did I find a job here, I also found the love of my life, with my husband Scott Dimit.

QWhat are some of your favorite aspects of Northeast Ohio?

AI love how pronounced the changes of the seasons are here. Each one offers something magical, and as they pass, they clearly mark the phases and events of your life. Also I love Lake Erie. To live near such a beautiful body of water is comforting. Every day on the lake offers different colors and moods, like a great changing painting.

QHow did you get involved with “Draft Day,” the Kevin Costner movie filmed in Greater Cleveland this spring?

AThrough developer Andrew Brickman. The “Draft Day” set team visited and eventually selected the 11 River Townhouse Residence 10 as the home of Kevin Costner’s character. I had worked over the past year to complete the interior design of that space, inspired by the owner’s love of nautical interiors and European hotel design. The residence was just short of final completion when the set designers arrived to stage the spaces for the shoot.

QWhat was your role on the set?

AI didn’t really have a role on set. However, I visited the townhouse during shoot staging with Micheal, the owner, and we met the chief set decorator and his assitants, who were preparing the spaces for the shoot. The crew was re-arranging all the stage furniture and places artwork and elements in specific areas. I realized how intricate the movie industry is. I realized how intricate the movie industry is. They were really working on arranging Kevin Costner’s bedroom, taking meticulous care of details to make his bed look carelessly un-made and his accessories artfully scattered about- all for a few minutes of final footage.

QDid you get to meet Costner and the rest of the cast?

AUnfortunately, I did not. Hopefully we’ll meet someday if he asks us to design a house for him! (We heard that he really liked the 11 River townhouses!)

QTell us about your tennis career.

AI started playing competitive tennis in Argentina when I was 8 years old. During high school, I’d travel three times a week from Azul, my hometown on the pampas, to Tandil, where the Tennis School of Perez Roldan is located. This is the same tennis school where Juan Manuel del Potro learned how to play and is currently training, so you can imagine the competitive spirit and hard work required to attend. I played in competitions until my second year of college, when my pursuit of architecture and design won out against the lure of the courts. Tennis is such a wonderful sport, and now I am playing in the local USTA league and love it! It makes me feel so good and offers the opportunity to meet wonderful people every week.

QWhat do you miss most about Argentina?

AOf course, I miss my family a lot. But these days, with all the amazing technology and social media available, such as Facebook and Skype, it is much easier to stay in touch. A couple of days ago, I was connected with my mother through Skype, and I was showing her how the tomatoes, kale, and other vegetables were growing in our backyard garden. Considering that in the not-too-distant past, letters form USA used to sometimes take months to arrive to my hometown, I think we’re all pretty well connected globally.

QHow often do you get back there?

AI try to visit family a couple of times a year. It is a long overnight flight. You leave the states around 9 p.m and arrive in Buenos Aires at 6:30 the next morning. But the arrival is great because my family is always waiting for me at the airport. The farewells are always equally sad.

QWill “La Albiceleste” win the World Cup next summer?

AI have no doubt about ti! Even if all my Brazilian friends say ythat this year Brazil will win the Golden Cup. I can only say: “Vamos Argentina!”

QMessi or Maradona?

AMessi- hands down! He is a real example of natural talent, dedication, and passion for the sport. ■

For more information: dimitarchitects.com