︎

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

curriculum vitae



Contact

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

Professional experience


2019 - ON-GOING
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 November 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: Architectural Technician at the City of Montreal (Arrondissement Sud-Ouest;
  • 2010: Teacher’s Assistant at the University of Montreal. 

    • 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 (artists, suppliers, museum partners).

    STRATEGIC AND ANALYTICAL ABILITIES

    • Retail space analysis and strategic design recommendations.
    • Post-project reporting, award submissions, and photography direction.
    • Knowledge of emerging media arts curation and exhibition strategies.

    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 :)