SHOMA LAHIRY

Role: Designer
Location: New York, NY
Architect: MdeAS Architects

Originally designed by Kahn & Jacobs, the 40-story tower at 3 Bryant Park featured a black glass and white stone façade that allowed in too much wind and too little light. Outdated perimeter induction units further reduced rentable space and blocked natural light and views.

To modernize the building, Equity Office Properties enlisted MdeAS Architects to re-clad the structure with a curtain wall of energy-efficient, green-tinted glass. The old HVAC system was replaced with an overhead displacement ventilation system—transforming the tower into a state-of-the-art, light-filled workspace.

As a project designer, I worked closely with firm leadership during the schematic phase to shape the geometry of the unitized curtain wall system. My role extended into the development of the construction document set, where I translated the design intent into precise technical drawings that guided fabrication and installation.

Role: Designer
Location: New York, NY
Architect: MdeAS Architects

Using a palette of simple, elegant finishes, MdeAS transformed this four-story atrium into a bright, welcoming public gathering space. A meticulously detailed fritted glass feature wall artfully conceals the escalator circulation, while white metal cladding softens the presence of oversized columns. White marble flooring distinguishes the seating area from the surrounding grey marble, subtly organizing the space.

As a project designer, I collaborated with firm leadership during the schematic phase to conceptualize the geometry of the fritted glass feature wall. I also contributed to the design development set, ensuring the design intent was clearly articulated and ready for documentation.

Role: Store Design Manager
Location: New York, NY
Architect: TPG Architecture

Situated within a tri-level, century-old Landmark building on Madison Avenue, this 7,500-square-foot space—once a long-standing liquor store—had remained untouched for over six decades. After a complete infrastructure overhaul, TPG reimagined the interior with a minimalist, airy palette defined by crisp white tones and refined materials. A newly designed facade, approved by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, introduces a clean, modern identity while respecting the building’s historic context. Inside, bold accents and fluid circulation patterns subtly reflect the brand’s evolution within the luxury fashion landscape.

As a member of the consultant-side project team, I contributed to the development of design documentation and coordinated with external consultants and vendors to support seamless project delivery—ensuring the design vision was executed effectively while meeting schedule and budget constraints.

Michael Kors, the globally acclaimed designer of luxury accessories and ready-to-wear, is celebrated for his iconic style that blends timeless sophistication with modern ease. The brand’s retail concept embraces the essence of quiet luxury, where understated elegance and thoughtful detail elevate the shopping experience.

The store design features warm whites and soft beiges, layered with rich textures and tactile fabrics that reflect the brand’s refined take on glamour. Guests are welcomed into a space that feels both elevated and inviting—residential in character, yet airy and open. Floating shelves, abundant natural light, and a curated mix of materials—such as warm wood accents, polished nickel fixtures, and glossed white marble—create a harmonious, luxurious environment.

As a store design manager on the consultant side, I led the coordination between Michael Kors and external partners to ensure seamless execution of both the interior layouts and exterior storefronts. Acting as a key liaison, I interpreted and upheld the brand’s design standards throughout the process—translating conceptual guidelines into clear, buildable solutions. I also managed vendor collaboration to integrate custom fixtures and design elements into the construction documents, ensuring consistency with the brand retail identity while keeping the project on schedule and aligned with deliverables.

Role: Store Design Manager
Location: Various
Company: Sephora

Sephora's store layout highlights an open and semi-open concept that promotes browsing and discovery. It leverages data-driven insights, modular fixtures, and a strong emphasis on customer experience to create a cohesive and versatile retail environment. The design is crafted to lead shoppers smoothly from the entrance to the back of the store, using strategic product placement, interactive trial areas, and dedicated beauty studios.

As a member of Sephora’s internal Store Design Team, I led the design and project management of a range of retail environments—including new stores, relocations, remodels, and Sephora at Kohl’s shop-in-shops. In this role, I collaborated closely with internal cross-functional partners to interpret and evolve the brand’s spatial identity, ensuring a consistent customer experience across formats. I also coordinated with external consultants, vendors, and contractors to guide projects from concept through execution—delivering on brand vision while maintaining timelines and budget targets.

Role: Store Design Manager
Location: Various
Company: Sephora

The Sephora Studio concept was developed to offer a more curated and personalized shopping experience in a smaller-format store. At around 2,000 square feet—significantly smaller than the typical 5,500 square foot Sephora—these locations combine the feel of a local neighborhood retail space with best in class digital tools. The studio’s design allows for individualized product recommendations, creating a more intimate and tailored beauty experience for each customer.

For these locations, I led post-construction Enhancement projects focused on optimizing layout efficiency and elevating the customer experience. Through spatial analysis and program adjustments, the goal was to drive stronger sales performance and brand engagement. In collaboration with internal teams and external consultants, I developed targeted design briefs that addressed circulation improvements, expanded product visibility, and enhanced exterior presence through updated storefront signage and evergreen marketing graphics.

Role: Designer
Location: Marrakech, Morocco
Architect: Oualalou + Choi

This hotel and villa complex, constructed with red-tinted concrete, features two long volumes connected by suspended bridges that pass over a central garden. These bridges house duplex suites with private terraces, while the open ground plane beneath facilitates circulation.

The villas are designed as simple, solid volumes inspired by southern Moroccan architecture, with a central garden that promotes community while preserving privacy. In contrast, the hotel’s forested garden provides natural seclusion for each suite. The balance of openness and privacy forms the conceptual core of the project.

For this project, I contributed during the schematic phase, where I conceptualized the massing and developed the site layout. This included envisioning color schemes and material concepts to create a cohesive design vision that aligned with the overall project goals.

Role: Lead Designer
Location: San Mateo, CA
Architect: Shoma Lahiry

This mid-century Eichler home, located in the San Mateo Highlands, had remained largely untouched since its construction in the 1950s. Undertaken as a freelance project, the endeavor involved a thoughtful reimagining of the space to honor the original Eichler design ethos while adapting it to the needs of a young family. The home’s original layout was dark and compartmentalized, with a particularly narrow galley kitchen and poor programmatic flow. Through strategic reconfiguration, the kitchen and main living area were transformed into a bright, functional communal space. Key improvements included a fully remodeled kitchen with custom cabinetry and high-performance appliances, enhanced indoor-outdoor connectivity, and energy-efficiency upgrades to the building envelope via improved insulation and new glazing. The result is a gracious, social living space that respects the home's mid-century roots while delivering contemporary livability.

Role: Project Manager
Location: Various
Architect: Ankrom Moisan

Vera Whole Health primary care clinics are thoughtfully designed to support efficient, holistic healthcare. The environments prioritize wellness and collaboration through a balanced blend of openness and privacy.

Open work pods and glass dividers encourage communication, while dedicated retreat rooms offer staff a place to recharge. Point-of-care testing is integrated directly into patient rooms, enabling faster, more personalized treatment.

The design incorporates a vibrant brand palette and diverse materials to create a refined yet approachable atmosphere. High-end finishes extend into circulation areas, enhanced by local artwork and a white noise system that supports both comfort and confidentiality.

As a Design and Construction Manager on Vera Whole Health’s internal Real Estate Development team, I led the integration of brand identity and regulatory compliance into clinic designs—ensuring alignment with company values and operational needs. I collaborated closely with internal stakeholders, external architects, and contractors to translate design concepts into detailed, code-compliant documentation. At project completion, I managed on-site setup, coordinating with vendors to finalize inspections, oversee logistics, and ensure each clinic was fully operational and patient-ready by opening day.

Role: Designer
Location: Houston, TX
Organization: Rice Design Alliance

Sponsored by the Rice Design Alliance and AIA Houston—with support from the National Endowment for the Arts—the 99K House Competition challenged participants to design an affordable, sustainable housing prototype for the Gulf Coast region. The goal was to promote awareness of green building strategies while demonstrating that high-quality, sustainable design could be achieved within a $99,000 construction budget.

This proposal, developed in partnership with a colleague, features a highly flexible floor plan designed to adapt to the evolving needs of its occupants. Sustainable strategies include rainwater harvesting, passive cooling, and natural ventilation—offering a resilient, cost-effective model for affordable green living.

Role: Design-Build Manager
Location: New York, NY
Organization: Hester St Collaborative

Hester Street is a nonprofit organization focused on urban planning, design, and development, working to ensure that neighborhoods are shaped by the people who live in them. The goal: to help build equitable, sustainable, and resilient communities and cities.

At Middle School 131 in New York City, we collaborated with students on creative projects that encouraged them to explore and connect with their Chinatown and Lower East Side neighborhoods.

To celebrate Lunar New Year, students created a month-long lantern installation in nearby Sara D. Roosevelt Park using recyclable materials. Since its inception in 2007, this annual design-build project has connected students to both their neighborhood and their cultural heritage in a meaningful and lasting way.

As a Design-Build Manager, I helped develop a step-by-step curriculum to guide students through the successful execution of their lantern project. Throughout each phase, I supported students by contextualizing the overall project, breaking it down into manageable components, and providing hands-on instruction and guidance tailored to each stage of the process.

Hester Street is a non profit working in the areas of urban planning, design and development to ensure that neighborhoods are shaped by the people who live in them. The goal is to help create and shape equitable, sustainable and resilient neighborhoods and cities.

At Middle School 131 in New York City, we collaborated with students on creative projects that encouraged them to explore and connect with their Chinatown and Lower East Side neighborhoods.

For this mural project, students painted scenes from their vibrant community directly onto their school building. The project incorporated lessons on photography, scale, and perspective—bringing design principles to life through hands-on learning.

As a Design-Build Manager, I helped develop a step-by-step curriculum to guide students through the successful execution of their mural project. Throughout each phase, I supported students by contextualizing the overall project, breaking it down into manageable components, and providing hands-on instruction and guidance tailored to each stage of the process.