Bio:

The great designer, Sijie works on multiple project types at a variety of scales in the US and internationally including cultural/visitor experience, multifamily housing, and urban design . With a Bachelor of Architecture from Northeastern University, and Master of Architecture from University of Michigan, Sijie is always enthusiastic about how architecture can make a better world through creating meaningful spaces that enhance local culture, diversity, and user experience.

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

My understanding of the built environment has been shaped by growing up in China. Witnessing rapid development inspired me to study architecture and has driven me to pursue the potential of architecture to positively impact people’s lives.

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What do you do?

As an architectural designer, my role is to help guide and develop the design of projects and support the team in coordinating and producing drawing sets. Currently I am working on construction documents for an affordable housing project.

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What excites you in the work you do?

The unique story and background of every project. I find it quite interesting researching and exploring the unknown and looking at the world through lens of architecture.

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Who or what inspires you professionally?

At Overland, we use “Strengths Finder”, an assessment tool that emphasizes the value of our strengths rather our short comings. This has helped my career development as I continue to focus my interests in alignment with my inherent gifts.

 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

Attending the opening of Brighton Center, talking to users of the space, and listening to how much they enjoy the building because it has improved their life and work experience made me feel in that moment that all the hard work was worth it.

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Featured Project Name: 

Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP)

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Featured Project Location: 

Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

2022

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Role in Featured Project: 

Project Designer

 

Featured Project Description:

OKPOP is a 52,500SF museum featuring event space, retail, and living exhibition hall. Current and timeless, popular and cultured, OKPOP highlights the journeyman’s struggle and the thrill of making it big, embodying the “grit and glitz” of life in the arts. Adjacent to Cain’s Ballroom and Route 66, OKPOP is an urban threshold connecting downtown to neighborhoods across the highway. It will continue to fuel popular culture and be an active participant in the street life of downtown Tulsa.

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Photography Credit:

Overland