Get to Know Principal Li Wang
Li Wang is an exceptional project manager and effective consensus builder who keeps the entire project team engaged. Since joining MHM in 2007, Li has played a critical role in expanding the firm's portfolio of Higher Education and Science & Technology projects. She brings over 22 years of architectural experience in government, higher education, industrial and research & development sectors. Within the last 15 years, Li has led and managed over $450 million in construction costs for State owned and Federal owned projects. Enthusiastic about Design in Context and Place-Making design approaches, Li focuses on strengthening campus spaces as places that stimulate learning and promote collaboration.
In addition to her role as a Principal, Li serves as the firm’s Project Management Committee Chair. She is an active LEED BD+C professional who supports the sustainable design culture and its integration into the design process. Li is also actively involved with the State AIA’s Building Information Modeling Committee and promotes the integration of BIM into everyday professional practice. Li currently serves as a member of the University of Tennessee Chancellor's Associates and is in the class of 2022 Leadership Knoxville Flagship Program.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Chengdu, China
Q: How did you choose Architecture as your profession?
A: When I was a kid, I loved to draw. Forms and colors were things that I enjoyed the most, and I could easily spend all day exploring them.
The high school I attended was a Magnet School, which held a top STEM track curriculum. I was among the top tier students in my class, so I was expected to be on track to study STEM majors in college. However, deep in my heart, I knew I was very skeptical about how much I would really enjoy the math and science fields. Though, don’t get me wrong, I love and admire math and science :-).
My homeroom teacher discovered my concerns and had several conversations with me about a path in design and Architecture. With her guidance, I found my path and decided to pursue Architecture. I thought that would allow me to continue exploring my passion in design.
Q: What has been your favorite project and why?
A: My favorite project is the Mossman Science Laboratory Building at the University of Tennessee.
Not only was the project managed successfully to meet the project schedule and delivered under budget, the project allowed me to truly appreciate the power of Place-making and the profound impact the built-environment can bring to students and campus life.
During the facade study / research, we discovered several hidden gems on campus that speak about the spirit of Gothic Architecture, such as the east façade of Hoskins Library, right next to the Mossman building. Using the Architecture to create a dialogue between old and new under the larger campus context has been a meaningful journey to me.
Through the Mossman building journey, I have experienced and witnessed the major growth and the billion-dollar construction era on the University of Tennessee’s Knoxville flagship campus. It is great to see UTK’s growth under a unifying plan. I am truly honored to play a small part as an architect in helping to realize this thoughtful plan.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge in your professional career?
A: Despite the challenges presented with being a female minority architect, the biggest challenge in my professional career is dealing with changes the Pandemic has brought. The pandemic has changed how we work, how we live and how we think.
Common challenges that most companies are experiencing hit us too. It made me think differently, search deeper, explore options. How can my partners and I build a stronger and more resilient company, drawing strengths from each other and seeking resources from the community? How do I truly listen to others, not just hear? How do we set reasonable goals and instill accountabilities? How can we embrace the challenges and create opportunities from them?
I realize we don’t have all the answers today, but with an open mind, gratitude to others and determination, we have together made the company more resilient and sustainable and will continue to do so.
I learned a quote from my Leadership Knoxville classmate that helps build inner strength and encourages me to think differently about coping with the challenges of the Pandemic.
“A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create”. - Mahatma Gandhi.
Q: What advice would you give to young professionals entering the field?
A: This question made me smile.
Architecture is such an interesting profession. Eighty Percent of what we do, we were not taught in school. Our profession requires passion in design, experience in technical details, skills in project management, strength in marketing and the love for our communities. This is a fascinating profession that holds a wide variety of opportunities to realize your potentials.
My advice for young professionals entering the field is this:
Open your eyes and ears, do good work, be a sponge, ask questions, explore. Get involved with the communities. Listen to those under-represented voices. Build relationships.
Seek and reach, you will be surprised what will fall into your basket. :-)
