Her Story
About sherri
Sherri Shafiei serves as Studio Practice Leader for the interior studio at HKS. With 26 years of experience in the architecture and interior design industry, she has contributed to a range of projects including healthcare facilities, higher education buildings such as those at Texas A&M, commercial work, and community centers like the Bayleaf Community Center for the City of Houston. She recently earned her LFA credential and focuses on regenerative design. Shafiei began her career working on projects like the airport for Continental Airlines, now United, and later took on large-scale healthcare projects such as the Centennial Tower for Methodist. She holds a degree from the University of Houston in a design program with an architecture minor, after initially pursuing studies at the University of Texas. Shafiei is an active member of IIDA and attributes her success to learning from mentors, colleagues, and the broader design community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with sherri
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think all the things I've been learning from amazing people I've worked with. It's definitely a great community. I love the design community, IIDA, and my colleagues that I've worked with throughout the years, my mentors. We're all a product of each other and we learn from each other, so they have definitely... I've learned so much from different people and different experiences, and that's what made me strong... what's made me a stronger leader and designer today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Best career advice probably from one of my mentors is have fun while you're at work because we spend so much time at work and with the people, and if you're having fun while you're doing it, it's enjoyable and it doesn't feel like work. And my dad gave me the simplest advice. He was like, do what makes you happy. Everything else will fall into place.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think women are so strong at thinking of others and they have so many strengths I think they can bring to the table. Don't be afraid to be confident and bring your strengths that you have because you do have, you know, there are so many strengths that I think women can contribute to this industry.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges with budget and schedules and things right now with the market being a little bit more challenging to get for projects and lead times. Working around that but that's why we rely so heavy on our reps. The opportunity there is finding local materials, finding things that are more regionally available and using those materials which could also help being more sustainable at the same time.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Values, always being honest. Being genuine, honest, direct. That ensures trust and credibility and you know you can count on somebody. Accountability, so I think those values I bring from my personal end into my work life.
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