New York, New York, United States
Design × Technology × Creative solutions. Wendy W Fok, trained as an architect (AIA), is an educator and director of design at WE-DESIGNS (Architecture/Creative Strategy) and New Territory (mission-driven real estate venture fund). Fellow at the Urban Design Forum (since 2018) and MacDowell (2022), they were awarded the Architectural League Research Grant (2024), NYFA/NYC City Corp Grant (2021), Autodesk Remake’s Women in Reality Computing (2017), Autodesk AiR (2016), Digital Kluge Fellowship, Library of Congress (2014/15), ADC Young Guns 11 Award (2013), AIA Dallas Women in Architecture (2013), Perspective 40 under 40 (2011), and Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award (2009). Fok completed their Doctor of Design at Harvard GSD, and volunteered as a Teaching Fellow at the Harvard Law School. They have a MArch & Certification of Urban Policy/Planning at Princeton, and BA in Architecture (Concentration in Economics - Statistics), at Barnard College, Columbia University. As a certified MWBE by the Mayor's office, 75% of our clients are from non-profit organizations and cultural sector. WE-DESIGNS has been selected by Twenty+Change Emerging Canadian Design Practices (2011). Fok was shortlisted for 1 of 13 DX Emerging Talent Awards (2013), and won Western Living Designer of the Year - Maker Category (2016) across Canada. Fok has an international background from New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Canada. Their award-winning projects have been exhibited internationally at SXSW, 12th/13th/16th/17th La Biennale di Venezia, Beijing Design Biennale, Shanghai Expo 2010, to name a few. Fok was the co-editor of AD Journal's "Digital Property - Open Source Architecture", published in 2017 by Wiley. Their book chapter "Bio-Data Matter of New York City" is published in 2021 by Routledge in "Data, Matter, Design - Strategies in Computational Design", edited by Frank Melendez, Nancy Diniz, Marcella Del Signore. On their spare time, Fok continues to develop Resilient Modular Systems [RMS] (B-Corp leading innovative and sustainable modular construction), and Future Factory (FF) a research-led think-tank on the Future of Urban Living. Research interests: Future of Work and Retail, Future of Urban Living, Future of Consumption, Digital & Real Property, Technology-driven and Open Innovation Business Models, Creative Entrepreneurship Specialties: Creative Strategy, Architecture, Design, Urban Policy, Digital Media, Spatial/Retail Installations, Fabrication (digital/analog), Materials research, New Business Development, Product Development
Experience in Product Development and Program Management from Zero to Launch, Design-Build, Manufacturing, Hardware/Software, and Digital Fabrication. Proficient in 3D modelling, innovative material research, augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (XR) design, and cultural/community engagement that could promote a larger discussion of how consumers interact with products and delivery for architecture, real estate, retail, and innovative business development. About: WE-DESIGNS™ provides creative strategies for the built environment. As a certified MWBE by the Mayor's office, 75% of our clients are from non-profit organizations and cultural sector. Major Project Updates: + Live Nation & Hospitality (2025 - 28) + Amphora Parfum Retail (2025 - 27) + MacDowell Foundation (2025 - 26) + New Museum Products (2025 - 26) + Rebuild LA Development (2025-28) + Museum of Nails (2023-27) + NYSCI - Theatre & Café Design-Build (2024-25) + 99BG Cultural Plan - SRD/RSHP/Brookfield Properties (2024-25) + Downtown Brooklyn Partnership - 50 Years of Women in Hip Hop (2023-24) + Welcome to Chinatown - Blockchain (2023-24) + Comité Colbert - Em Tech Retail (2020-22) + WebAR/XR Book/Exhibition (2021-23) + StreetMix - PM & Web Monetization (2020-21) + NYC Census 2020 Campaign - Digital Design/Strategy (2020) + Shenzhen Biennale - Retail Exhibition (2019-20) + Beauty Brand Strategy & Package Design (2018-19) + Sensorial PMQ deTour Exhibition (2018-19) + La Biennale di Venezia (Architecture) Installation (2018) + London Design Biennale 2018 - Hong Kong Pavilion (2017-18) + WIRED x SKYY Vodka Crossover Brand Activation (2016-17) + Baroo - Brand Strategy & Retail Concept Store Design (2014-16) + Autodesk AiRs - Manufacturing Focused R&D (2016-17) + Reed Gallery - Interactive Installation (2015) + Illuminus Nuit Blanche, Boston Innovation Week - Interactive Installation (2015) + WAF 3D Printed Exhibition Bar, Singapore (2013) + Harvard Art Museum - Lightbox Gallery (2013-15)
As the Global Liaison Officer, I work with the Head of the Architectural Association and Visiting School (AAVS) to manage Visiting School programme development, partnerships and collaborations with institutions, practices, brands, and other stakeholders expanding and strengthening global networks to support the Visiting School’s activities. Please reach out for collaboration and partnership opportunities! • Collaborate with the Head of the Architectural Association and Visiting School to develop global partnerships. • Drive innovative approaches to address global challenges through effective communication with diverse stakeholders. • Foster international engagement by expanding networks with academic leaders, businesses, and policymakers. Learn more - https://www.aaschool.ac.uk/school/programmes/visiting-school
A6981 - Industry, Practice & Research - Intersecting Design & Entrepreneurship in Architecture. Collaboration with Professor and Director Lydia Kallipoliti to Launch the inaugural Design & Entrepreneurship Conference Series, for the Columbia GSAPP Advanced Architectural Design (MSAAD) Theme on Architecture and Entrepreneurship. Programs: Advanced Architectural Design (MSAAD), Architecture and Urban Design (MSAUD), Computational Design Practices (MSCDP), and Real Estate Development (MSRED).
Part of the Dedicated Mentor program at NEW INC. (art+tech incubator organized by the New Museum), Mentors are supported by top professionals in the fields of art, design, technology, and entrepreneurship. Through monthly meetings and ongoing guidance, mentors help our members develop as creatives and future leaders. More information: https://www.newinc.org/mentors As the first museum-led cultural incubator, NEW INC was conceived of as a not-for-profit platform for furthering the New Museum’s ongoing commitment to new art and new ideas. Now in Year 9, NEW INC’s membership model continues to support a diverse range of creative practitioners with a values-driven program and safe space for gathering and developing new creative projects and businesses. In 2020, NEW INC launched ONX Studio, an XR accelerator for artists, in partnership with the Onassis Foundation. NEW INC was cofounded by New Museum’s Toby Devan Lewis Director, Lisa Phillips and Deputy Director, Karen Wong in 2014.
I'm a Senior Research Fellow for the 'Streets Ahead' Cultural Working Group 2023. I work with qualified city council members, policy makers, planners, other architects, and designers on bringing active strategy on how to engage with a more equitable cultural space. NYC offices we work with include: NYC Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO), Department of City Planning (DCP), and Department of Transportation (DOT), etc. I have been a fellow at the Urban Design Forum, since being nominated in 2018. Streets Ahead Project - With a new administration taking the helm in a few short months, this is a key moment to get the attention of our new city officials (newly elected Mayor Eric Adams and his incoming appointed agency leads, City Council members, and others) and influence their thinking on what is possible for our streets. While we target our city government, we also want to contribute meaningfully to the public dialogue on the issue. How can we transform streets to build connected communities? As the city reopens, there is significant opportunity for designers, planners, policymakers, and community members to develop an inspiring strategy to permanently reclaim streets for all New Yorkers. Streets Ahead convene as working groups over a year to advance ideas and proposals to envision a more vibrant, equitable streetscape. Our workshops, events, and conversations took place from summer 2021 through spring 2022. With public programming throughout 2023. More information: https://urbandesignforum.org/programs/next-new-york/streets-ahead/