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WOMEN IN CHARGE
A Woman's Journey in Design and Leadership
By Vicky Wang, Managing Director Asia Pacific, WATG & Wimberly Interiors
Photos courtesy of WATG & Wimberly Interiors
04 Mar 2024
Photos courtesy of WATG & Wimberly Interiors
04 Mar 2024
My architectural journey began at Tongji University in Shanghai, where I earned my Master of Architecture degree before moving to the United States to begin my professional career. The noticeable gender inequality within the field in those years emphasized the importance of promoting successful female architects as an inspiration for the next generation.
- NAVIGATING THE MALE-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE
- EMBRACING 'OHANA' SPIRIT AT WATG
- BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND LEADERSHIP
- FEMALE LEADERSHIP AND BREAKING SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS
The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is often characterized by a male-dominated landscape. My career began in a 'startup' office of a global firm, where being the only woman on construction sites fuelled my determination to prove my worth. It was not uncommon for me to be subjected to inquiries regarding my age, qualifications, and experience.
Additionally, I had to deal with the distress of catcalling from the site workers, which was an experience that my male colleagues never had to endure. As a young architect, it was a challenging environment that required me to prove my mettle while carrying the burden of unnecessary distress. However, my hard work eventually paid off, and I quickly earned the respect of my peers, which validated my efforts.
- NAVIGATING THE MALE-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE
- EMBRACING 'OHANA' SPIRIT AT WATG
- BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND LEADERSHIP
- FEMALE LEADERSHIP AND BREAKING SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS
Embracing 'Ohana' Spirit at WATG
The NEXUS, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Joining WATG's California office in 2013 as a Project Designer marked a significant chapter. WATG’s roots were planted in Honolulu by its founders George “Pete” Wimberly and Howard Cook, who adopted the enduring cultural principles from Hawaii, including Ohana, meaning family or extended kin. The Ohana spirit, a legacy for nearly 80 years, underscored our 'no-ego' approach, fostering collaboration and inclusivity.
Throughout my tenure as a mentee under the guidance of Bradford J. McNamee, a distinguished American architect and Senior Vice-President at WATG, I garnered insights into project development, management, and client relations. As a female architect, I have adopted an approach that prioritizes building a genuine relationship and establishing trust with clients as a means of interpreting their vision more accurately. Trust enables us to push boundaries and innovate in our pursuit of creative and high-quality solutions. At WATG, we place the highest priority on a human-centric approach that centres on comprehending clients' visions and crafting experiences for both guests and staff that are exceptional and memorable. The Ritz-Carlton Xi'an project marked the beginning of a client relationship that spanned a decade and achieved new heights of success.
The Ritz-Carlton Xi’an Luxury Hotel and Retail, Xi'an, China
Serving as the Managing Director of Asia Pacific, I achieved a historic milestone last year by becoming the first female managing director for the region in the company's impressive 79-year history. Joining the distinguished ranks of WATG's all-female managing directors across the globe, I bring to my role an extensive portfolio and over two decades of architectural experience in hospitality, mixed-use, and high-end residential projects on a global scale.
With a particular focus on the Greater China region, I strive to exceed client expectations and have been fortunate to contribute to award-winning projects through my commitment and leadership. Notable achievements include The Ritz-Carlton Xi’an Luxury Hotel and Retail – a CREDAWARD recipient, No. 9 Luxury Residence in Xi’an, The Nexus commercial development in Ho Chi Minh City, Grand Enterprise Chengdu mixed-use, and Zhongda International 99 Later Living Wellness Community in China.
- NAVIGATING THE MALE-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE
- EMBRACING 'OHANA' SPIRIT AT WATG
- BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND LEADERSHIP
- FEMALE LEADERSHIP AND BREAKING SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS
Balancing Motherhood and Leadership
Becoming a mother brought unique challenges, leading me to spend three years away from extensive travel, limiting my ability to perceive the different perspectives and imagine what a site can become. Parenthood transformed my perspective, providing new insights and inner strength to strive for constant improvement.
As Managing Director, I aim to be a role model for my team. Assuming the role of MD also means I need to dedicate my time beyond just projects. Attaining a work-life balance can prove to be a challenging feat. However, I am committed to effectively balancing my professional and personal life. To achieve this, I take my daughter to visit hotels designed by WATG. These experiences immerse her in environments that demonstrate seamless operation years after opening. It brings me immense pride to showcase our work and legacy with her. As a result, she has developed an avid interest in interior design and has even demonstrated the ability to draw site plans from a young age.
(Related: Hegen founder Yvon Bock aims to change the lives of mothers around the world)
- NAVIGATING THE MALE-DOMINATED LANDSCAPE
- EMBRACING 'OHANA' SPIRIT AT WATG
- BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND LEADERSHIP
- FEMALE LEADERSHIP AND BREAKING SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS
Female Leadership and Breaking Societal Expectations
Leading with empathy is a core tenet of female leadership, and at WATG, we place immense value on qualities such as teamwork, client relations, and a collective pursuit marked by compassion, all seamlessly aligned with our organizational spirit. Within our creative space, we foster an environment that encourages and nurtures thinkers, dreamers, imaginers, and artists.
In our Singapore studio, we're proud to have three outstanding principals out of seven who are females – Chiara Calufetti-Lim, Studio Director of Architecture, I-Jin Chew, Project Director of Architecture, and Deepu Mahboobani, Managing Principal of Wimberly Interiors. This dedicated team in our Singapore office comprises individuals from diverse cultural, global, and regional backgrounds. This diversity is the heartbeat of our vibrant studio environment, where individuals collaborate, learn, and inspire one another.
(Related: Eurokars' Charmain Kwee on driving the family legacy)
As a female leader, I navigate the transformative landscape of architecture with passion. However, it's impossible to ignore the unspoken and often heightened expectations placed on women in leadership roles – how we should behave, how we should look, and even how we should be profiled on social media. This societal pressure, perhaps fuelled by the image and visual-centric nature of today's society, is a challenge that I, as a mother, feel equipped to handle. I draw strength from my commitment to being a role model for my daughter.
My advice to women is to hold their work in high regard, discover their voice, and draw strength from their passions. The words of Minouche Shafik inspire me on this journey: “In the past, jobs were about muscles, now they're about brains, but in the future, they'll be about the heart.” Leadership that stems from the heart has transformative power. My trajectory in the field of architecture serves as an inspiration for aspiring architects, in particular for women, to shape the future we desire.
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