︎

sarah tu
architectural ideation.
sensorial & experimental endeavor.
artistic penchant.

curriculum vitae



Contact

Email hello@sarahtu.com
Phone +1 (514) 839-1045.

Professional experience


2019 to now
FREELANCE INTERIOR & EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, MONTRÉAL

  • See projects here. 
  • Independently conceptualized and executed interior and experiential environmental design projects for various clients.
  • Developed technical drawings, creative dossiers, and rendered visual concepts.
  • Projects include E-com headquarter offices and warehouse, Dental Clinic, Pediatric Center, Small business office, Art installation in Chinatown, Urban installation, and Fashion festival.

    2023 to 2024
    Project manager / EXHIBITION DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
    MONTREAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

  • Plan, execute and follow through on all stages of projects for temporary, discovery and travelling exhibitions;
  • Delivered scenographic concepts and production schedules for temporary and travelling exhibitions.
  • Coordinated with museum departments and external collaborators to ensure project quality and timeliness.
  • Managed budgets, tender processes, and contracts with suppliers and artists.
  • Projects include O’Keeffe & Moore temporary exhibition and uummaqutik, essence of life - Inuit art exhibition.

    2021 to 2023
    Project manager / INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
    SID LEE ARCHITECTURE

  • Oversaw interior design and strategic repositioning mandates for institutional, corporate, hospitality, commercial, and retail clients.
  • Built strong client relationships while ensuring the delivery of high-quality projects.
  • Supervised administrative tasks, cost control, and technical quality assurance.
  • Drafted service offers, estimated the hours required to carry out the mandate, and negotiated with clients when needed.
    • Projects include Student Housing Building, Corporate headquarters offices, Hotel lobby, Retail concept store for Converse, Restaurant among others.


    2014 to 2021
    Project manager / ENVIRONMENTAL & EXPERIENTIAL DESIGNER
    TUX agency


    OTHER PAST EXPERIENCES

  • 2013-2014: Field Creative Assistant at Topshop;
  • 2010-2013: VM Manager (interim) and Visual Merchandiser at Forever 21 Flagship;
  • 2013 & 2014: Teacher’s Assistant at the University of Montreal);
  • 2010: Architectural Technician at the City of Montreal (Arrondissement Sud-Ouest.

    • Core Skills & Competencies


    PROJECT MANAGEMENT

    • Comprehensive project lifecycle management: planning, execution, budgeting, and follow-up.
    • Coordination of multidisciplinary teams (designers, architects, engineers, contractors, stakeholders).
    • Scheduling, timeline development, and performance tracking.
    • Cost control and financial system integration.

    DESIGN AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

    • Create compelling storytelling and narratives supporting design choices and explaining concepts to non-design-based clients.
    • Interior and architectural art direction and design, scenographic concepts, and layout planning.
    • Custom furniture design, display design, and industrial design.
    • Proficiency in producing technical drawings, 3d renderings, and presentation documentation.
    • Development of creative dossiers and architectural brand guidelines.

    ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSIVITY

    • Training in accessible and inclusive exhibition design to cater to diverse audiences.

    SOFTWARE AND TOOLS

    • Autodesk Revit (Beginner to Intermediate), AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp and Layout.
    • Rendering software: Enscape, V-Ray.
    • Project management tools: Microsoft Project, Google Suite.

    COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION

    • Strong client relationship management and stakeholder communication.
    • Team leadership and mentoring.
    • Cross-disciplinary collaboration with external resources (from creative specialists such as artists, graphic designers, copywriters, and strategists, to technical professionals such as engineers, drafters, architects and construction teams).

    STRATEGIC AND ANALYTICAL ABILITIES

    • Spatial analysis and strategic design recommendations. 
    • Contribution to multiple RFPs and pitches.
    • Post-project reporting, award submissions, and photography direction.

    Awards


    2023

    Finalist in a call for proposals for the creation of a large-scale artwork in Montreal's Chinatown, organized by Quartier des Spectacles. Project: Le Peigne, completed in 2022.

    2017

    Winner of the Iconic Awards 2017 for Interior category. German-based organization.
    Project: Le Manoir, Montréal, completed in 2016.

    2016

    Winner of the Design Competition, La mise en valeur de la Promenade Fleury, organized by Design Montreal. Design proposition information here.
    Project: La Courtepointe Fleury, Montréal, completed in 2017.

    2016

    Winner of a Grand Prix du Design, 10th edition for the category : Exhibition Stand. Quebec-based organization, see details here.
    Project: Dermalogica Stand for the ABA Fair in Montreal, 2016.

    Training courses


    2023

    Exhibition Design: Accessibility and Inclusivity (Design d'exposition : accessibilité et inclusion)
    Course given by SMQ (Société des musées du Québec)
  • This  course is designed to teach managers and those responsible for visitor experience to apply the principles of accessibility and inclusion in a museum context. Through case studies, practical exercises, and the testimony of guest experts, the participants learnt how to meet the needs of visitors with disabilities, while respecting their institution’s mission.

    • 2021 

    Methods, Theories and Tools for Emerging Media Arts Curators
    Taught by Erandy Vergara at Oboro
  • This workshop aims to present the tools and methodologies necessary to accompany artists in media or digital art as a curator, author or agent.

    • 2015

    REVIT Architecture - Beginner and Intermediate Levels>Taught by Raphael Bélanger, certified by Autodesk.

    Education

    2012 - 2014 

    Master Degree in Architecture
    Université de Montréal

    2010 - 2011

    Non-thesis Graduate diploma in Ephemeral design
    Université du Québec à Montréal

    2007 - 2010

    Bachelor degree in Architecture
    McGill University, Montréal

    2009

    Student exchange program
    Bachelor degree in Architecture
    University of New South Wales, Sydney


    Softwares

    AutoCAD +++
    SketchUp +++
    V-Ray for SketchUp+++
    Enscape for SketchUp +++
    Rhinoceros ++
    Grasshopper +
    ArchiCAD +
    Revit Arch ++
    Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)+++
    Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) +++
    Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets)+++
    Microsoft Project ++


    Profile


    Highly creative & conceptual
    Curious
    Open-minded
    Passionate
    Dynamic
    Funny... Sometimes...

    Attention to details & aesthetics
    STRONG SENSE OF INITIATIVE, PROACTIVITY, AND AUTONOMY
    ABILITY TO PRIORITIZE & ever-seeking efficiency
    great team player and collaborative
    French/English bilingualism


    Penchants


    DESIGN & ART
    FASHION
    SMELLS, TASTES, AND TEXTURES
    TRAVELING & CULTURE
    PLANTS
    NEW EXPERIENCES
    ONYX, MY BEAUTIFUL STANDARD POODLE




    For cv in pdf format: please reach out at hello@sarahtu.com :)

    please feel free to contact me at hello@sarahtu.com :)