Shau “Irene” Duan, PLA, LEED AP, joined SWA in September 2011 after receiving her MLA from the University of Texas at Austin. With a background in horticulture and urban planning as part of her undergraduate studies, Irene is constantly seeking a balance between sustainability and rapid urbanization. In her opinion, the goal of space-making is not just to meet the physical needs of society; a timeless design should also be thought-provoking and inspiring.