Blanca Frias

Engineer. Artist. Storyteller.

About Me

I'm a 39-year-old civil engineer based in Escondido, California. I specialize in seismic retrofitting and sustainable design, but I also believe that every structure should tell a story. That's why I stitch community murals into concrete, making sure that resilient infrastructure honors the neighborhoods it serves.

When I'm not analyzing blueprints or mentoring young Latina engineers, you'll find me playing Spanish folk tunes on my guitar, hoarding limited-edition art prints, or trying to remember to floss (spoiler: I skip it sometimes).

This is my digital workshop — a place where engineering meets art, and every project is a love letter to the people who call these spaces home.

My Projects

The First Fix

Remember your first time you fixed something? A wobbly chair, a torn shirt, a leaky faucet? That's where it all starts. I'm collecting stories of our first repairs — because every fix tells a story, and every story builds something stronger.

Seismic Stories

Coming soon: A collection of stories about how communities in San Diego and beyond have rebuilt after earthquakes. Every scar tells a tale of resilience, and every new foundation is a promise to the future.

Murals & Math

How do you calculate the perfect angle for a mural that will last 100 years? I combine structural engineering with community art to create spaces that are both safe and beautiful. Soon, you'll see the blueprints behind the brushstrokes.

Guitar & Geometry

Ever notice how the curves of a guitar neck are like the arches in a bridge? Music and math are more alike than you think. I'm working on a series that shows how rhythm and rhythm can teach us about patterns, proportions, and the beauty of precision.

"A good joint holds the house together, just as a well-planned lesson holds a classroom together." — @barbara-asbell