Ricky Donovan Arriaga

The CAPLA experience is about growth, collaboration, and bringing unique ideas to life through the support of a creative community. Embrace new experiences, and let each one inspire you to build and innovate.

Hello everyone! My name is Ricky Donovan Arriaga, and I’m from the Koreatown neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. I’m currently studying for my Bachelor of Architecture and expect to graduate in 2026. To me, CAPLA is a place where you can grow your ideas and explore your ambitions, thanks to the supportive network of peers and professors. It’s a space where studio culture allows shared ideas to flourish, creating something truly unique. Outside of school, my main passion is writing—I’ve been working on short stories for years and hope to publish them soon. I also love film, always seeking out new movies and visiting local theaters whenever I travel. CAPLA’s collaborative spaces, like our large workshop, materials lab, and gallery areas, are some of my favorite features. They allow us to explore and share projects with others in an inspiring environment. One of my biggest challenges at CAPLA has been learning to prioritize my well-being and growth over distractions that don’t serve my goals. I’ve been involved in residential real estate and construction for several years and recently started working with a commercial real estate firm. My career goal is to open my own real estate development firm and continue my work in the Southwest. For prospective CAPLA students, my advice is: never hesitate to try something new. Be the beginning of something unique, and let every experience teach and inspire you.