Michelle Chew

Job Captain

Michelle Chew

Job Captain

Michelle has always been drawn to creative work but was pulled between the left and right sides of her brain when determining career paths. Ultimately, the right side won, and she earned her Bachelor’s in Art History at UC Irvine. Her desire to impact society led her to pursue architecture. She received her Master’s in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.

Michelle is a lover of travel, cultures, food, colors, textures, thoughtful curation and visual storytelling. She began her career in New York City at Pelli Clarke and Partners, where she spent four years working on commercial and high-rise buildings. She then moved to LA where she designed a mix of commercial and single-family residential. When she found herself daydreaming of designing homes, she decided to join the residential team at WDA and come home to her native Bay Area.

In her free time, you’ll find Michelle running, cycling or practicing yoga. She has a keen interest in health, wellness, and a holistic lifestyle, which in turn influences her designs. Michelle is excited to live close to her family and take full advantage of spoiling her new niece.

Who is an architect or designer, living or dead, that you admire?
Arje, the lifestyle brand centered around cozy outerwear and earthy interiors. It’s a collaboration between a husband and wife. I love the consistency and limitlessness of their brand.
What would be your dream project?
To design and build a home that doubles as a farm-to-table restaurant in the French countryside where I grow and cook the produce and my fiancé is the sommelier.