Archinect
Olivia Lau

Olivia Lau

New York, NY, US

 

About 

  • Registered Architect and Project Manager, with a focus on retail design
  • Developed over 60 retail locations for specialty hair care, skin care, cosmetics, and clothing brands
  • Developed interiors and branded signage at over 15 locations for a rapidly expanding fitness and retail company within New York, Connecticut, and California, including the company's first location on the West Coast
  • Completed three internships at an award-winning architectural and interior design firm, including work on the JetBlue Airways Terminal 5 at JFK International Airport
  • Graduated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's School of Architecture with a Bachelor of Architecture

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Lalire March Architects LLP, New York, NY, US, Associate | Project Architect

Aveda, Origins, and Jo Malone London retail store locations
- Project management for national retail brands specializing in hair styling and skincare services
- Architectural design and construction management for over sixty retail locations throughout the country
- Detailing custom display fixtures for travel retail locations at domestic and international airports

Brideside boutique locations
- Project management for newly expanding company specializing in bridal and bridesmaids apparel and services

Nov 2012 - current
 

SoulCycle, New York, NY, US, Junior Designer | Retail Design

SoulCycle studio locations | New York, California, and Connecticut
NY | New York City and New York metro regions
CA | Los Angeles County and San Francisco Bay Area
CT | Greenwich
- Worked directly with the Director of Design to develop fitness and retail interiors for over 15 projects
- Produced construction documents and drawing packages for multiple filing processes
- Designed branded storefront signage for existing and landmarked buildings
- Detailed custom millwork and created brand standard design guide

Aug 2011 - Aug 2012
 

Gensler, New York, NY, US, Architectural Intern | Corporate Design

Proskauer Rose LLP | 11 Times Square, NY
- Coordinated and assisted furniture selection interviews between designers and clients
- Created interior office plans and furniture selection documents for corporate interiors within short deadlines
- Compiled meeting notes for project manager and design committees

Jun 2010 - Aug 2010
 

NYC Department of Design and Construction, New York, NY, US, Intern | Police / Fire Unit

NYPD 120th Police Precinct | Staten Island
NYPD 40th Police Precinct and FDNY Zerega Avenue EMS | Bronx, NY
- Received training in design and construction management for city police precincts and firehouses
- Observed bi-weekly design progress meetings between DDC, clients, and design firms

Jun 2008 - Aug 2008
 

Gensler, New York, NY, US, Architectural Intern | Retail Design

NYSC, Town Sports International building | Hicksville, NY
- Created and edited construction documents and presentation drawings for fitness retail interiors
- Observed design progress meetings between design team and client

May 2007 - Aug 2007
 

Gensler, New York, NY, US, Architectural Intern | Aviation Design

JetBlue Airways, Terminal 5 | JFK International Airport, NY
- Edited drawings for construction document sets
- Placed orders for and conducted inventory of material samples

Jun 2006 - Aug 2006
 

Education 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, US, BArch, Architecture

Bachelor of Architecture | Minor in Philosophy of Human Values and Cultures
- GPA: 3.68 / 4.00
- Final Project: Combinatory Urbanism | Designing for Diversity at the Urban-River Edge

Aug 2006 - May 2011
 

Tongji University, Shanghai, CN, RPI/Tongji University Study-Abroad Program

Feb 2010 - May 2010
 

Awards 

Faculty Award for generally high scholastic attainment in the study of Architecture, Award

2011
 

Faculty Award for Outstanding Service to the School of Architecture, Award

2011
 

Harriet Peck Thesis Prize, Nomination

Final project "Combinatory Urbanism | Designing for Diversity at the Urban-River Edge" selected as one of the top two projects in thesis studio

2011
 

Selection of student work for publication, Other

Final project "Combinatory Urbanism | Designing for Diversity at the Urban-River Edge" selected for archiving and publication

2011
 

Norman Waxman Memorial Award, Award

awarded for exemplifying a spirit of unselfish giving to the School and Institute

2010
 

Selection of student work for publication, Other

Spring 2010 studio project "Shanghai Urban Living" selected for archiving and publication

2010
 

Selection of student work for publication, Other

Spring 2008 studio project "UPenn Brewery and Dance Hall" selected for archiving and publication

2008
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills