Rena is an architect with over a decade of experience in academic institutions and guiding projects in every phase of design. Her work varies across the academic campus such as student residences, performance spaces, athletic facilities and mixed-use housing. She is passionate about all learning environments, and her lifelong love of libraries—rooted in childhood hours spent at her local branch and now rekindled through library lap sits with her child—continues to inspire her work. Working on campuses has been the most fulfilling for her after seeing the positive impact thoughtfully designed buildings and spaces have on the student’s academic career and how they inspire future generations.
Originally from California, she received her BA in architecture at UC Berkeley, then found her way to the East Coast to pursue her master in architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Coming from a large state, she loves spending the weekend exploring the neighboring states in New England and finding the best café and donut. She also enjoys crafting, riding her bike, rock climbing, and cooking/baking.
American Institute of Architects
Boston Society for Architecture
What would you do if you won the lottery? I would love to travel the world with my family in tow to visit all the local cultural heritage sites and eat all the foods.
Most daring thing you've ever done? I went mountaineering in Puerto Rico without health insurance (I was fine, but I don’t recommend it). I also went bungee jumping off the highest bridge in Africa (Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa).
Do you collect anything? I collect enamel pins and pressed pennies (the ones where you put 50 cents into a machine to smash down a penny with a design of the local landmark on it).
What languages do you speak? English and Cantonese