Ana Guzman walked rapidly with gazelle-like grace, dressed like a high fashion model even when she donned a hard hat over her blond hair at construction sites and spoke English with a disarming Argentinian accent.

The talented architect's forthright manner and dazzling smile could turn into an icy glare if she was dissatisfied with the quality of a contractor's work.

Her firm, fair approach served her well as she oversaw $2 billion worth of new construction at the University of Pittsburgh from 1996 to 2005.

Mrs. Guzman, 69, of Ross, died Monday at UPMC Presbyterian after a brief illness.

When she was promoted to associate vice chancellor of facilities management at Pitt in 1995, Mrs. Guzman's department was responsible for 64 buildings, 12 miles of underground utilities and maintenance of more than 6.5 million square feet of space. She oversaw construction at all five of Pitt's campuses.

Some of her major projects were Biomedical Science Tower 3, the Petersen Events Center, Sennott Square and the conversion of the former Masonic Temple into Alumni Hall. She also worked on the creation of Schenley Plaza, which turned an Oakland parking lot into an inviting green space.

Mrs. Guzman also planned the campus beautification projects.

"With Ana, she was an artist first. Then, she was an architect. Then, she was a facilities manager. She was an amazing combination of creativity, competence, culture and chutzpah," said B. Jean Ferketish, secretary of Pitt's board of trustees and assistant chancellor.

Mrs. Guzman and her husband, Alberto, a research scientist, came to Pittsburgh from Argentina with their two small children when he was hired by Carnegie Mellon University in 1967.

When she arrived, Mrs. Guzman, a graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba's School of Architecture and Urban Planning, was one of four women architects in Pittsburgh. She first worked with John Schurko and Associates in Pittsburgh. Then she was principal of her own firm, Ana M. Guzman AIA, before joining Pitt as a project manager in 1978.

Joe Fink, who succeeded Mrs. Guzman, said his colleague excelled at "making sure that projects are designed within budget and on time."

She also reorganized every department within facilities management, changing how operating engineers did maintenance and, if necessary, had custodians do their work in evening hours.

Jerry Cochran, executive vice chancellor and general counsel at Pitt, promoted Mrs. Guzman to the prominent post she held for 10 years before her retirement in 2005

"Ana worked nonstop. She worked whatever hours were necessary to get the job done," Mr. Cochran said, adding wryly that water main breaks and electrical outages almost never happen on a weekday on campus and that she often called him on the weekends.

Mrs. Guzman and her husband traveled twice a year to Cancun, Mexico, as well as to the Mediterranean, Machu Picchu and Argentina.

"She frequently had foreign exchange students in her home," Mr. Cochran added.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Guzman is survived by a son, Javier, of Minneapolis; a daughter, Ana Cecilia Quezada, of Mill Valley, Calif.; two sisters, one brother and five grandchildren.

A private funeral will be held today. A public memorial service will be held at noon Friday in Heinz Chapel on Pitt's campus.

The family suggests contributions to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.