2017 Women in Building Services: Pansy Cheng, H2M architects & engineers

Name: Pansy Cheng 

Title: Senior Architect 

Company Name: H2M architects & engineers 

Years in real estate: 14

How have you navigated obstacles to achieve success in your career?

Through hard work and persistence. English was not my native language, so when I first arrived in the U.S., I had a difficult time understanding my study materials. In order to succeed, I knew I had to work twice as hard and study twice as long compared to my classmates. I ended up graduating with honors and was inducted into the Cum Laude Society along with seven other members in my class. Using the same strategy, I obtained my architecture registration, LEED AP and Interior Design certifications.

How do you play your strengths to your advantage in your career?

As a petite Asian woman, I tend to give others an initial impression of an energetic, eager young architect, with perhaps a bit of naiveté. Even though I have been in the architectural profession for 25 years, I express a sense of enthusiasm towards my client’s projects during proposal interviews and presentations, establishing closer relationships with my clients and expanding my network within the Library market.

What trends are you seeing so far this year?

With the millennials and Generation Z’s shunning home ownership, the spatial layout in rental apartments tend to be more streamlined and opened. Colors, textures and patterns found in nature are incorporated into interior design elements to make the transition between indoors and outdoors more fluid.

What do you do for fun? 

I love to attend open houses to check out the structures and layouts in expensive homes.