Tu-Anh Bui Johnson (Associate AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, BD+C), defines creativity as "Seeking first to understand. It’s crucial to understand the background of a community's needs, then collaboratively work together to accomplish an effective outcome." As a healthcare and senior living planner, Tu-Anh has spent the past eight years with Wold working with our clients to inspire creative results.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Tu-Anh majored in Architecture and minored in Environmental Design. During this time, Tu-Anh discovered her passion in designing for resident- and patient-centered care. Tu-Anh says, "I love the interactions I get to have with our care providers, patients, residents, and the greater community, and to assist in helping match a design with their vision. I get inspired during these collaborative sessions with stakeholders to help improve overall experience for everyone."
Tu-Anh says one of her favorite aspects of her position is transforming environments for residents and patients. She loves how a team can come together to identify an existing building's potential and incorporate stakeholders’ needs to transform it into something new. With a soft spot for renovations, Tu-Anh has instilled a core value from Action Pact, "Why would we ask anyone to give up home, just when they need it the most?” into her passion for renovating designs to improve patients and residents’ quality of life.
Tu-Anh was recently selected to be featured in the SAY IT LOUD exhibition with an emphasis on her project Interlude Restorative Suites. SAY IT LOUD features diverse designers of Minnesota and their work at the Goldstein Museum of Design.
As a thought leader in our industry, Tu-Anh is involved in various Wold committees. These include our EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and WID (Women in Design) committees. An active representation of both her and Wold’s values, Tu-Anh appreciates the opportunity to have active conversations with coworkers. She says, "I appreciate the entire firm's support and mentorship opportunities to have these open conversations that speak to our core values."
Outside of Wold, Tu-Anh is involved in several professional committees, including SAGE (Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments) and NOMA (National Organization for Minority Architects). In these committees, Tu-Anh provides a voice for Wold Architects and Engineers as a whole. Her advice for up-and-comers in the industry follows her current values of involvement. She says, "Take any opportunities that are given to you professionally and be open to tasks that may be out of your comfort zone. These opportunities will help you grow as a whole."
As a mother with two kids, a four-year-old and a one-year-old, Tu-Anh has become quite familiar with the integration of working-from-home as a parent. While multitasking both facets of life can sometimes be a challenge, Tu-Anh has learned to appreciate her team's flexibility and understanding. "Everyday was a dance to figure out how my husband's schedule and my schedule can accommodate the kids' routines. Many parents share this experience, and this commonality has created a better culture of acceptance."
One fun fact about Tu-Anh is that she is fluent in both English and Vietnamese, with an additional grasp of French in her arsenal. Always looking to grow in knowledge, it's no surprise that Tu-Anh says if she wasn't an architect, she'd be a teacher.
To learn more about Tu-Anh, her experience and her thought leadership, visit her biography here. Additionally, you can view our previous editions of Focal Point with Matt Bickel and Rick Moore. Our series, Focal Point, provides an enhanced glimpse into the individuals that make up our firm.
