Derrick’s path to architecture wasn’t a straight line but a natural convergence of interests. Growing up traveling between the U.S. and China, he was enamored with the diverse landscapes and communities he encountered. Inspired by this multi-cultural immersion, he pursued a love of drawing and visual storytelling to document his experiences. In the process, he began a journey studying how design evolves in response to culture, climate, and everyday routines.
With over a decade of industry experience, Derrick brings both a global and community-centered perspective to his work. He has contributed to projects across a variety of sectors—including creative workplaces, retail, housing, and transit—with a focus on designs that prioritize communication, collaboration, and local context. His career has taken him to Tokyo, Shanghai, Rome, Milan, Tenerife, New York, and Los Angeles, where he developed a passion for wilder and more locally sustainable architecture. Through his international experiences, he has learned to bring a sensitive eye, an enthusiastic voice, and an open mind to every role and project he takes on.
Derrick often relies on his notebook for client meetings, sketching ideas in real time to help communicate clearly and quickly. “You see what they’re excited about, they see where you're going, and together you build something better than either of you could have alone,” he says. He sees himself as a connector—bringing together ideas from clients, engineers, and contractors to help shape a shared vision.
