AAPI Heritage Month marks an important moment to celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. Since 2020, the SOM Asian Alliance—a group that works to foster community and promote cross-cultural awareness among Asians within our firm and in the industry—has organized a series of events, discussions, and celebrations across SOM offices worldwide. With more than 200 members, the Asian Alliance is a collective of individuals from backgrounds, languages, and cultures united in the shared endeavor to empower and inspire the Asian community at SOM, which makes up more than a third of our U.S.-based staff. 

An ongoing focus for the Asian Alliance is exploring the multitude of identities, histories, and experiences of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians in the United States. The conversation around representation is reflected in the evolution of AAPI Heritage Month and its name—from its founding as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 1992, to Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Month, to Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Month, and beyond. 

This year, we recognize AAPI Heritage Month under the theme of “Confluence” through the perspectives and experiences of six of our AAPI colleagues around the globe. Read on, week by week, as we catch up with each to explore the ideas that strengthen our collective while celebrating what makes us individually unique.

Christina Shin

Junior Designer
Los Angeles

Tell us about your favorite SOM project(s) you have worked on and why it’s important to you.

How has your culture had an impact on the perspective you bring to your projects?

What are ways that architects and engineers can better foster inclusivity and help their AAPI colleagues succeed?

What are some of your interests outside the office and how have they shaped your professional life?

What advice would you share with aspiring architects or engineers?

Inho Rhee

Principal
Chicago

Tell us about your time at SOM and a favorite project you have worked on.

How has your culture had an impact on the perspectives you bring to your projects?

My cultural background has the virtue of listening and understanding before you speak. Sometimes it can be perceived as shy and timid, but through the experience and built knowledge, it helps me to build trust from the client and leadership.

What are some of your interests outside the office and how have they shaped your professional life?

I enjoy traveling to see many different cultures, history, architecture, etc. Whenever I travel to see old and new, it broadens my experience and perspectives. Also, watching movies and TV dramas stimulates art directing, storytelling, and outside-the-box thinking.

How has SOM or the Asian Alliance helped to create a sense of belonging for you?

SOM as a global practice firm has many projects all over the world, and I have been fortunate to work in so many different countries and with so many different types of projects. With all those experiences over the past 20 years, I never had a feeling that I was excluded from any process of the project and/or opportunities. SOM leadership shows patience, open mindedness, and equal opportunity, and that makes me feel proud to be part of the firm.

What advice would you share with aspiring design professionals?

Sometimes people feel equal opportunity and inclusivity are not provided. But it does come someday. We have to be patient and look at the future in a longer term. At the same time, you have to be ready to take the responsibility and demonstrate your capability when the opportunities come. Never stop trying and improving yourselves.

Yunlu Shen (Lulu)

Associate Principal, Structural Engineering
New York

Tell us about your time at SOM and a favorite project you have worked on.

I started at SOM in 2011 as an intermediate structural engineer after working for two years at an engineering firm. My first thought after starting was, “I need to upgrade my wardrobe!” Working at SOM was very different because I interacted with architects frequently, and no two projects are alike. Every few years my role would shift, and there would be a new set of skills to learn—technical knowledge, of course, but also how to collaborate with others, how to manage project schedule, how to advise younger engineers, how to monitor project finances, how to pursue new business…how to hold all this different information in your head!

For almost half of my time at SOM, I worked on Two Manhattan West from concept design all the way through completion. The project has a unique site that shaped the structural system and, in turn, the architectural expression of the lobby. I loved working with the wide range of stakeholders. I also loved that for most of the construction period I could see the tower being erected from my seat at our new office—I have a pair of binoculars at my desk for site observations.

I’ve been fortunate that most of my projects have been constructed or are under construction: National Museum of the United States Army, High Line – Moynihan Connector Bridge, Pennsylvania State Police Academy. It’s a magical feeling each time I see drawings transform into real structure.

What are ways that architects and engineers can better foster inclusivity and help their AAPI colleagues succeed?

My first supervisor at SOM was Bonghwan Kim. We called him Professor Kim because he was a walking textbook and he would sometimes give me readings as homework. I learned a lot from his meticulousness and his ability to use humor to defuse tension. I also learned how to say, “This is not in our scope,” from him. Bonghwan advocated for me and created opportunities for me to take on more responsibilities.

It was helpful to see another Asian in a leadership role. I think by trying our best to reach our potential, we illuminate and widen the path to success for those who come after us.

How has SOM or the Asian Alliance created a sense of belonging for you?

Being Asian didn’t feel like a significant part of my work identity, as we were always diverse within the structural engineering group, and I was given ample opportunities to grow and stretch.

SOM’s Asian Alliance has allowed us to bring more parts of ourselves to work, to share our stories and cultures with more colleagues. That has made the office feel more human.

What are some of your interests outside the office and how have they shaped your professional life?

I was active with the Structural Engineers Association of New York from early in my career. I began as a volunteer with the Programs Committee, helping to organize seminars and events. After two years, I became committee chair and then a member of the board of directors. Now I’m the president of the organization. It gave me a window into the professional community in New York, to learn about industry trends and concerns.

Outside of work, I love bike touring in beautiful places. I’ve biked through the West Highlands in Scotland, around the island of Taiwan, Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula in Ireland. I’ve also biked to Far Rockaway with some of my SOM colleagues. There is a fair number of cycling enthusiasts at SOM.

What advice would you share with aspiring design professionals?

Pay attention to the built environment around you. That’s a great, free way to learn.

For my AAPI colleagues, don’t let your beliefs limit you. When I first became an associate, my family thought that I had reached the bamboo ceiling. They also thought that as an Asian, I would only be valued for my technical skills. These beliefs may have been true in the past—and they may still be partially true—but we cannot push the boundaries if we give up trying.

For architects specifically, don’t forget to draw the columns!

Tune in each week as we get to know our AAPI colleagues—the people behind the projects and their perspectives that make our practice stronger.