I recently had the honor of participating in a panel hosted by the University of Washington’s National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) chapter for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.

Titled “A New Chapter: Home, Origins, Resilience (ANC:HOR),” the panel invited Asian American architects to reflect on the meaning of home, their lived experiences, and how those themes shape our work in the built environment. As an Asian immigrant architect, the topic felt deeply personal. It gave me an opportunity to pause, look inward and consider how migration has shaped my identity, what gives me fulfilment, and the legacy I hope to build.

Panel members (left) Tanya Kataria, Alex Rolluda, Sergio Max Legon-Talamoni, and moderator, Van Le.

Home: Inheritance and Becoming

For me, the idea of home is layered. Delhi is the home I inherited. Seattle is the home I am building. One does not replace the other, they compound.

I was born and raised in Delhi. It’s where my roots are—where my family lives, the place of my childhood, where the smells and sounds are familiar, and where I instinctively understand how the culture and life works. It’s the place of comfort, memory, and belonging.

Seattle, by contrast, began as unfamiliar. I arrived here with no family, but slowly, through friendships, conversations, small rituals, and meaningful work I found my community. Over time, the relationships I’ve built, the life my husband and I share with our dog, and the buildings I’ve helped design have woven themselves into my own evolving narrative of home. In designing spaces here, I’ve not only made my mark on the city, I’ve discovered new parts of myself: what brings me joy, what fuels my work, and what gives me purpose.

The Role of Architecture in fostering Belonging for immigrants

Architecture is a form of storytelling. It creates space for memory, identity, and cultural continuity. The built environment should be a canvas for diverse stories that reflect the people who inhabit it. For migrants and immigrants, thoughtful design can soften the experience of displacement by creating spaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and foster the feeling of belonging in a new place.

Design must reflect the cultural heritage and lived realities of diasporic communities, particularly Asian and AANHPI populations. That starts with listening and authentically engaging with communities early and often, especially with those who are underrepresented or may not have had their voices heard. I have found that asking emotionally resonant questions in early stages of a project can bring out responses that help guide a richer and more grounded vision of a project. For example, at the Othello masterplan project, we asked “How do you want the site to embody the spirit of Othello?”. At New Hope Family Housing we asked “what feelings do you want this building to evoke?”, and “how do you want the residents to feel in this building?” The answers to these questions gave project teams authentic, meaningful and emotional answers that helped shape the vision and goals for these projects that serve diverse communities.

I recently heard Karen Braitmayer, FAIA, of Studio Pacifica say: “The best architecture happens when the people designing the spaces actually reflect the diversity of the people using them.” That resonates deeply with me. When our teams reflect the communities we serve, the spaces we create become more authentic, more inclusive and more meaningful.

​​Weaving Cultural Memory in Practice: Patsy Surh Place

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on at Weber Thompson is Patsy Surh Place–affordable housing for formerly homeless AANHPI seniors in Tacoma. From the beginning, the design focused on wellness, dignity, and embodying the feeling of home for residents who may not have had one in a long time.

Associate and project designer Tanya standing outside Patsy Surh Place located in Tacoma’s Lincoln District.

I drew design inspiration from lanterns–a recurring symbol in many Asian cultures that represents celebration, warmth, and new beginnings. Those were the exact emotions we wanted to evoke in the building. Through the design process, I often asked myself: ‘what would my grandmother want if she lived here?’

I imagined her sipping tea on a bench in the courtyard, enjoying an evening stroll while chatting with neighbors, or reading by the window in her sunlit apartment. That vision and cultural memory helped guide my design direction. I incorporated large windows for amply daylit apartments, created inviting communal areas, and added intimate nooks for quiet reflection. Walking paths, seating surrounded by lush plantings, and a community garden were all shaped by a desire to support wellness, connection, and joy.

The courtyard at Patsy Surh Place

My Anchor: Creating Home for Others

Now that Patsy Surh Place is complete and welcoming residents, I’ve heard moving stories from the leasing team; of new tenants brought to tears as they received their keys, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude at finally having a place to call home. For many, it’s more than just a roof over their heads, it marks the beginning of a new chapter and a renewed sense of hope.

Knowing that I played a role, however small, in creating a space that feels beautiful, safe, and welcoming fills me with a profound sense of purpose. This is my anchor, the reason I do what I do. And in helping others find home, I continue to build my own, right here in Seattle.

Speaking on the ANC:HOR panel was not only a chance to reflect on my own journey, but also an opportunity to connect with students and the next generation of architects. The students in the audience asked thoughtful, courageous questions about urgent challenges faced by AANHPI populations in Seattle, design spaces for intergenerational living, and creating successful project teams. It was deeply fulfilling to offer guidance, share lessons I’ve learned, and see the spark of leadership and vision in their eyes. To be part of a conversation that both honored our collective heritage and inspired future paths felt incredibly meaningful.