Archinect
Sherman Lai

Sherman Lai

Philadelphia, PA, US

 

About 

As an architectural and exhibit design professional, my passion is to contribute excellence to our built environment. I genuinely believe that great design does not originate from a single person, but from talented intellectuals and the combination of their ideas. In today's world, design is an exciting cross-disciplinary field where multifaceted people can come together to conceive the best solutions to a problem. It is an area where one can integrate brand strategy with architecture and cognitive psychology with information design. For me, my interest lies in creating places, environments, and experiences that emotionally engage and improve user experience. I constantly strive to work and surround myself with the most exceptional individuals in the world.

Currently, I am a senior architectural and exhibit designer at studioMUSarx (an architectural, museum planning, and exhibit design studio located in the heart of Philadelphia's Art Museum District) with work focused on museums, exhibits, visitor centers, and commercial design. I have prior experience in multiple market sectors, with involvement in educational, residential, multi-family, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse projects. My designs have been recently recognized by the AIA in the 2015 Annual Emerging Professionals Exhibition, and the projects I have recently completed has been featured in the National Geographic and NPR.

I am presently taking the ARE (Architect Registration Examination) for my initial registration and license. In the near future, I look forward to LEED accreditation and NCARB certification for licensure reciprocity to practice architecture throughout the United States.

Employment 

studioMUSarx llc, Philadelphia, PA, US, Senior Architectural Designer

As one of the core primaries of studioMUSarx, I am a lead architectural and exhibit designer involved with the development of highly intricate and sophisticated museum designs. I am able to coordinate, execute, and deliver projects in all phases of design, and am contributing both technical expertise and creative design solutions to projects nationwide. My multidimensional role with studioMUSarx not only involves consistent and intimate interaction with clients for business development and lead generation, but also maintaining the accuracy, efficiency, and quality in all the work we produce.

My current duties include:

-Execute and perform lead architect duties in all areas of architectural and exhibits practice

-Head production of highly technical, accurate, and thorough contract drawings and specifications

-Work hand-in-hand with firm principal to guide and direct design decisions of the firm

-Foster communication and business development in lead generation and marketing, meet with potential and current clients to establish budget, scope, and objective requirements, and fine-tune proposal writing for prospective projects

-Oversee the respondents of RFIs, issue addenda and punch list, and manage change orders

-Preside over the reviews and logs of consultant submittals, sample submissions, and over 650+ sheets of specialized shop fabrication drawings in construction administration

-Facilitate and methodize project management tasks such as scheduling, cost analysis, and cost estimating

-Confer with numerous sustainability-driven consultants (along with other green building industry leaders such as specialty exhibit fabricators, lighting, and audio/visual engineers) to design and deliver LEED Platinum projects

Nov 2012 - current
 

North Street Design llc, Philadelphia, PA, US, Architectural Consultant

-Performed construction administration and surveying services in custom high-end residential renovations

Mar 2012 - Nov 2012
 

Blackney Hayes Architects, Philadelphia, PA, US, Intern Architect/Staff Designer

-Pioneered and regulated Revit project worksharing and modeling best practices while providing guidance for Revit implementation as a firm standard

-Coordinated/provided quality assurance and production support for CDs and photo-realistic renderings

Sep 2009 - Dec 2011
 

Drexel Discovering Architecture Summer Program, Philadelphia, PA, US, Teaching Assistant/Resident Assistant

-One of five staff members that instructed, coached, and mentored young creative high school students in an intensive two-week exploration program

Jul 2009 - Jul 2009
 

O'Sullivan Architects, Wakefield, MA, US, Revit Trainer Consultant

-Educated, promoted, and applied Revit as an office modeling tool

Jul 2008 - Jul 2008
 

Education 

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, US, BArch, Six-Year Architecture Program (2+4 Option)

Graduated with Honors (Pennoni Honors College)

Sep 2007 - Jun 2013
 

Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, US, Discovering Architecture Summer Program

Certificate of Completion

Jul 2006 - Jul 2006
 

Awards 

2015 Annual Emerging Professionals Exhibition, Other

My board for a replacement visitor center in Theodore Roosevelt National Park- "Outpost Nestled in the Badlands" was selected from projects across North America to be featured at the AIA national headquarters in Washington DC.

2015
 

Desde Filadelfia, proyectos para Buenos Aires, Other

My 5th year velodrome studio project in Buenos Aires was published and cited in Clarín, Argentina's Largest Newspaper in ARQ - Arquitectura Clarín: October 30, 2012 Issue. Online edition published on November 13th, 2012.

2012
 

Otto Speer Traveling Scholarship, Scholarship

Study Tour Abroad Traveling Scholarship to Rome, Italy

2011
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills