A conversation with Kai Sheng, the founder and Managing Principal of Archilier, an Architecture firm based in New York and Shanghai.

Kai currently leads Archilier’s design team and has expertise in designing lifestyle boutique hotels. Archilier is known for being one of five finalists in the Port Authority Bus Terminal redesign competition and is actively building large-scale projects in China, where Kai received his Bachelor’s studying Architecture. (Source: LinkedIn)

When you were doing your Bachelor’s in China, did you want to practice architecture in the U.S.?

I always wanted to come out, to see it all, to experience architecture. I knew I wanted to be a practicing Architect in New York. But I had no money. 

I remember I took a greyhound to Philadelphia from New York, after I arrived in the U.S. I wanted to go to UPenn for my master’s, for a double major in Urban and Architectural Design. They told me I got it! But do you know how much money I had? $35 when I landed in JFK. 

The most they could give me, a foreign student, at the time was another $2,000 scholarship. But what I needed was a full ride—I just couldn’t do it. Now, I made sure my kids can go anywhere they want!

When I was in school in China, the only Western-style building around was Fragrant Hill Hotel, by the master I.M. Pei in Beijing. Back then, I couldn’t enter the building. Only foreigners could go in. It was built when I was in my second year, but I couldn’t go in! My friend and I snuck out back, out of our love for design. We put a wheelbarrow up against the back wall and climbed over. Two poor students with nothing to lose! Nobody bothered us when we went into the garden and through the kitchen. It was a very nice project, with these white walls…can you imagine? It was the first Western Architecture I experienced. I became so optimistic, inspired by this exposure to the outside.

Did you experience any racial difficulty in your career?

One thing happened—when I was doing my masters—I was delivering Chinese food in the winter to make extra money. I was on my bike, and this kid threw a snowball right at me. It hit me hard. I don’t know if it was a racist incident really, maybe he just thought, “Hey, let’s throw something at this Chinese food delivery boy on his bike!” I still remember the place. I was delivering for Golden Horse, on Bleeker Street in the Village. 

The thing is, I knew I was bigger than all that. I had a goal. He was just a kid! I had to focus on my goals and not think about it too much. Other things have probably happened, but I try not to let those types of things register. I was too busy, so I didn’t let these things get to me.

As an Asian-American architect, what was your struggle building up a career in the U.S.? What’s your advice to people like you? 

I would just think I’m a good designer who wants to create things. People recognize that. Don’t think too much about the Asian part, because of course, it’s always there. The thing is, you can’t see yourself. Sometimes you’re reminded of it, and you think, “oh, I’m different.” But you can’t dwell on that. If you see someone has a design scheme, think like this: could I do better?

Do your own thing! People will throw snowballs, they’ll think, “Hey! Let’s use the Chinese delivery boy as target practice.” And in the office, people will have snide comments. Be bigger than that. If you engage these thoughts, you’d waste your whole day thinking about them. As long as you have a goal, all that becomes peripheral. 

Read more about Kai Sheng’s beginnings with Archilier here.
Find out more about Archilier here.