May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a commemorative month to honor and celebrate the culture, accomplishments, and history of Asians and Pacific Islanders. In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we’d like to feature two talented individuals of this demographic (both of whom resides here in Boulder). Here’s a brief glimpse of who they are and the incredible work they’re contributing to the world:
Huili Feng, Founder and Architect of Tumu Studio
Huili Feng is the founder of Tumu Studio, an architecture firm that began in Chicago and found its way to Boulder. The name Tumu is a combination of Chinese words “tu,” which means Earth, and “mu”, which means wood. The melding of these base words translates to “build,” which is ultimately what the team at Tumu Studio exemplifies. Huili describes the founding of Tumu Studio with her husband, Ross Barney, an accomplished architect in his own right, as a necessary step in her career trajectory and life path. She felt that she was facing stagnation at her previous job and was ready to take a bold route to feel inspired again. Born and raised in China and educated at Wuhan University of Industry and Technology, Ms. Feng is no stranger to new beginnings. Since moving to the United States at age 23 to obtain her master’s degree at University of Illinois at Chicago, Huili has worked with world-class architects and won numerous awards. Now based in Boulder, the Tumu Studio team specializes in the Colorado residential market. However, this doesn’t mean the firm is limited to a niche–their motto is that challenge generates opportunity, and they enjoy working on a broad spectrum of projects. Tumu Studio offers a range of services, including full-scope architectural design, interior design, and even custom furniture and millwork. Their completed designs can be spotted in residences and commercial spaces in Chicago and Boulder, including a stunning home with views of the Flatirons, complete with a custom thirty-foot-long glass wall.
Laura Cheung Wolf, Founder of LALA CURIO
LALA CURIO is a one-of-a-kind home décor and lifestyle brand founded by Laura Cheung Wolf. Laura’s passion for interior design is steeped in tradition, with three generations of family specializing in imperial crafts. LALA CURIO reinvents lost crafts with a focus on hand-painted wallpaper. Laura Cheung Wolf has a cosmopolitan background, being born in Sydney and raised in Hong Kong and England. She moved to New York to earn her degree from Parsons School of Design, and continued her education in the Fine and Decorative Arts at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. Her storied career led her to return to Asia, where she spent years studying forgotten crafts of remote parts of China and Southeast Asia. From her exploration of traditional gongbi painting techniques and others, LALA CURIO was born. You can spot the brand’s work in numerous high-end residences, restaurants, hotels, and more. Each is a reflection of the client’s unique vision with a nod to the centuries-old craft.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month serves to celebrate the rich history and accomplishments of individuals hailing from the Asian continent and Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. The women spotlighted here are doing amazing work for the world and are among a diverse group of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders contributing to a brighter future.