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Shaina Yang

Shaina Yang

Culver City, CA, US

 
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About 

I am a recent MArch graduate with a diverse background looking to start my career. My strengths include excellent critical thinking and analytical skills, a strong sense of judgement, and a broad knowledge of the world around me. Having grown up in Seattle, lived in Shanghai, and had higher education and professional work in England – before finally returning to the US – I have wide-ranging life experience and a global view. I am adaptable within an office environment and retain a high standard of professionalism. I am also deeply committed to social issues and am interested in their intersection with architecture at all levels. As I grow into my budding identity as a designer, I strive and continue to integrate these skills.

Employment 

3MIX Architecture, Remote, Architectural Designer

Part-time (20 hours per week) contract worker providing remote support on three projects, including:
"Seattle 2030" CTBUH article - was sole design assistant to lead author of “The Tall Building Strategically Reconsidered”, cover article for the CTBUH 2020 special edition journal
Chongqing Huayu City (under construction) – responsible for creating in-house drawings for publication, as well as submittal to Asia-Pacific Property Awards where the project was awarded in the Mixed-Use Architecture in China category for 2021-2022
Guangzhou Hopson TIT Mixed-Use (concept phase) – site research, 3D modeling from sketches, preliminary planning

Jun 2020 - current
 

William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc., Boston, MA, Architectural Design Intern

Team member on Stanford Graduate School of Education project in SD & DD phases.
Main: Develop design ideas with the team and explore design options through various means: model making, detail studies, elevations, and renderings. Worked primarily in Revit.
Additional: Was responsible for a solo mini-project: designing a free-standing trellis in the central courtyard, coming up with initial concept and developing it through to detail drawings and specs.

May 2019 - Aug 2019
 

Foresight Factory, London, UK, Senior Data Analyst

Consultant and data analyst at a consumer insights company with both research and client duties.
Main: Research, perform data analysis, and create forecasting models for human behaviour and attitudes. Manage 8 client accounts, including primary client communication, giving presentations, directing and managing consultancy projects. Solo public speaking at 300+ audience conferences.
Additional: Manager on internal data platformisation IT project, managed contractors to develop it.

Jan 2015 - Apr 2017
 

Education 

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, MArch, MArch I

AWARDS: Final thesis awarded both the James Templeton Kelley Thesis Prize (MArch I) and the Clifford Wong Housing Prize
STUDIOS: Core I - Cameron Wu, Core II - Jenny French, Core III - Jon Lott, Core IV - Oana Stanescu, Option “Reflective Nostalgia” - Lyndon Neri & Rossana Hu (high pass), Option “Making Next to Forest” - Toshiko Mori, Thesis “Cripping Architecture” - Preston Scott Cohen (high pass)
TEACHING ASSISTANT to Toshiko Mori for “Material Practice and its Agency”
ALSO Vice President of NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architecture Students) GSD chapter, 2020-21

Sep 2017 - May 2021
 

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), London, GB, Masters, MSc China in Comparative Perspective

Interdisciplinary social studies degree with a focus on modern China. Included modules in social theory, critical theory, urban theory, and modern China.
DEGREE RESULT: Distinction. Salutatorian.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT to Dr Mayling Birney on "Technologies of Governance in China"

Sep 2013 - Sep 2014
 

University of Oxford, Oxford, GB, Bachelors, Philosophy Politics and Economics

Three-year degree with modules spanning three subject areas. Studied at St Peter's College.
DEGREE RESULT: Upper Second Class (2:1) with honours
THESIS PROJECT: Distinction

Oct 2010 - May 2013
 

Awards 

James Templeton Kelley Thesis Prize (MArch I), Award

Awarded best thesis project in the MArch I 2021 cohort for thesis "Cripping Architecture". Supervised by Preston Scott Cohen.
"This prize is offered by the Boston Society of Architects, a chapter of the AIA. Upon nomination by the Architecture faculty, it is awarded annually for the best final design project submitted by an MArch degree candidate. MArch I and MArch II students who complete a thesis and receive a grade of Distinction or High Pass for their final thesis project are eligible to be nominated by their thesis advisor."

2021
 

Clifford Wong Prize in Housing Design, Award

Awarded best thesis project in the MArch I 2021 cohort for thesis "Cripping Architecture". Supervised by Preston Scott Cohen.
"The Clifford Wong Prize in Housing Design recognizes a multi-family housing design that incorporates the most interesting ideas and/or innovations that may lead to socially oriented, improved living environments. Students in all GSD programs are invited to submit a project that considers today’s challenges posed in housing design. The prize may be awarded for a design executed by a single student or by several students working in collaboration in a regular GSD core or option studio, thesis, or independent study course completed during the current academic year."

2021
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills