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Ashley Kim

Ashley Kim

Vancouver, BC, CA

 

About 

Entrepreneurial, solution-focused and forward-thinking interior design and project managing professional spanning a wide range of design portfolio consisting of corporate, commercial, hospitality and retail across Canada and US.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

OAK + FORT, Vancouver, BC, CA, Director, Store Development & Facilities

• Drive and lead all store design and planning for all North American store openings and improvement projects, operating across functions of Store Development, Retail Operations, Facilities, Marketing and Graphics, Visual Merchandising and Planning to champion transformation and change to our corporate growth initiatives.
• Partner with executive stakeholders in Real Estate portfolio strategy to tactically approach future store opening pipeline throughout North America.
• Responsible for all site design development and procurement, review of construction documents, details, shop drawings, permits, approvals and licensing required to support the Store Development calendar.
• Manage the work to ensure the stores are opening on time, on budget and with a high level of brand enhancement and experience.
• Establish and monitor project cost estimates, contractor and vendor negotiation and management, and actual project cost management ensuring a consistent approach across all projects by developing annual fiscal year capex.
• Manage creative and functional design solutions and procurement per project for all North American stores across all classifications, ensuring project design deliverables are delivered on time and on budget to current global design standards.
• Partner with Visual Merchandising team to finalize store layouts and fixture configuration, assortment strategy and capacity for each location
• Advise cross-functional partners on design strategies that support overall brand and business goals and initiatives.
• Collaborate and manage external professionals as an extension to the internal team consisting of architecture and engineering resources, GCs, vendors and consultants.
• Develop SOPs to execute training materials, process outlines, flowcharts and implementation procedures as required
• Apply senior level management skills to improve efficiency, resolve problems and accomplish objectives with department in line with business goals and initiatives

Sep 2021 - current
 

SSDG Interiors Inc., Vancouver, BC, CA, Interior Designer

• Project Types: Corporate, Commercial, Hospitality, Base Building Tenant Improvement
• Work directly with Principals and Associates to take on a key role in the design process including establishing project goals/direction, creating design concepts, producing construction documents and presentation material with respect to the design intent and functional program, while executing all phases of a project from project inception to completion
• Produce design and contract documentation in alignment with SSDG's standards of quality, client program and budget needs
• Design development to include production of 3D renderings to support the design concept
• Coordinate with project consultants (ie. electrical, mechanical, structural), contractors and vendors
• Interpret and conform to building codes and bylaws
• Prepare outline specifications and assist in detailed specification development
• Collaborate with vendors on all aspects of Contract Administration including project/installation coordination, scheduling, sample/shop drawing review, change orders, RFI/SI, project close out, etc.
• Keep current of innovative and forward-thinking design including research on products and materials
• Source Furniture, Finishes & Equipment with consideration to project concept/budget
• Lead and/or participate in client presentations and actively build relationships with clients through the project process
• Oversee all details of the project, under the supervision of the executive team and/or principal

Oct 2018 - Dec 2021
 

Stantec, Vancouver, BC, CA, Interior Designer

• Project Types: Airport, Airport Retail, Corporate, Commercial, Institutional
• Work directly with Principals and Associates to take on a key role in the design process including establishing project goals/direction, creating design concepts, producing construction documents and presentation material with respect to the design intent and functional program, while executing all phases of a project from project inception to completion
• Produce design and contract documentation in alignment with Stantec's standards of quality, client program and budget needs
• Design development to include production of 3D renderings to support the design concept
• Coordinate with project consultants (ie. electrical, mechanical, structural), contractors and vendors
• Interpret and conform to building codes and bylaws
• Prepare outline specifications and assist in detailed specification development
• Collaborate with vendors on all aspects of Contract Administration including project/installation coordination, scheduling, sample/shop drawing review, change orders, RFI/SI, project close out, etc.
• Keep current of innovative and forward-thinking design including research on products and materials
• Source Furniture, Finishes & Equipment with consideration to project concept/budget through various types of RFP process
• Lead and/or participate in client presentations and actively build relationships with clients through the project process
• Oversee all details of the project, under the supervision of the executive team and/or principal

Oct 2017 - Sep 2018
 

Prime Interiors, Vancouver, BC, CA, Interior Designer & Construction Project Manager

Corporate / Commercial design build in various sizes up to 35,000 sq.ft
• Concept and design development in line with client's budget and program
• Development of design through sketches, photoshop and in 3D to communicate to client
• Working drawing production to follow building code & requirements and millwork drawing
• Engaging and coordinate with engineers where applicable (structural, mechanical, electrical)
• Liaison with landlords, property managers and tenant services team in a professional manner
• Contract administration and project management during construction
• Pre construction documentations including obtaining WCB, Insurance, Trades List, etc.
• Site coordination and coordinate sub-trades in various stages of construction
• Post construction documentations including deficiencies list, closing documents, etc.

Apr 2014 - Oct 2017
 

OAK+FORT, Vancouver, BC, CA, Interior Designer / Project Manager, Store design + development

Retail design and construction project management up to 3,000 sq.ft in BC/AB/ON
• Coordinating with building systems professionals as required (Architects, MEP engineers)
• Schematic design to design development to clearly express the OAK+FORT design standards
• Working drawings for building permit, tender and construction and as-builts
• Custom millwork and metalwork design (cash wrap, retail display, fitting rooms)
• Contract administration and contract documentation
• Weekly meeting with contractors on site for site coordination

Dec 2012 - Aug 2015
 

ZAS Architects, Vancouver, BC, CA, Interior Designer

Corporate / Commercial design - banking branches (BMO and HSBC)
• Space planning to meet client's requirements and program
• Working drawings for building permit, tender and construction
• Issuing necessary site instructions and change order as needed

Dec 2013 - Apr 2015
 

Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH, US, Interior Design Library Facilitarian / Dean's Assistant

• Participating in developing CCAD Interior design library with faculty
• Maintaining the ID Library resources database
• Liaising with industry representatives
• Working directly with Faculty to establish new initiatives

Sep 2009 - May 2012
 

Education 

Academy of Art University, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, US, Masters, Interior Architecture (Online Degree)

Sep 2015 - current
 

British Columbia Institute of Technology, Burnaby, BC, CA / Main Campus, Architectural & Building Engineering Technology

Sep 2012 - current
 

Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OH, US, Bachelors, Interior Design

Aug 2008 - May 2012
 

Awards 

CCAD President's List, Other

2010
 

CCAD Merit Scholarship, Scholarship

2008
 

CHSS: Top Student Award: "Art 12", "Photography 12", 1st Place

2008
 

Burnaby Student Art Exhibition Award 2008, Award

2007
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills