In partnership with the Architects Foundation, we are pleased to announce the 2022-2023 PAYETTE Sho-Ping Chin Memorial Academic Scholarship. This $10,000 grant is intended to support women pursuing a professional degree in architecture recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). In addition, to help the scholarship recipient establish contacts within the profession, she will be assigned a senior mentor from PAYETTE for the scholarship year. Qualified students entering at least their third year of undergraduate, or any level of graduate study, are encouraged to apply. The deadline is January 14, 2022.
This scholarship honors the late architect Sho-Ping Chin, FAIA, a long-time principal at PAYETTE and a health-care practice leader who was instrumental in defining and elevating the national discourse for women in design. Brittney Sooksengdao (Virginia Tech Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center) was the 2021-2022 recipient.
Earlier recipients of the scholarship, which was established in 2016, are:
Allexxus Farley-Thomas (Cornell University)
Michelle Badr (Yale)
Naureen Mazumdar (Harvard GSD)
Olivia Huang (MIT)
Orli Hakanoglu (Yale).
Among other requirements, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are required to provide an essay that discusses the influence of architecture and architects to improve the human condition and quality of life their resume, a professional resume, a portfolio of their creative work and two letters of recommendation. To apply, visit the Architects Foundation.
We’re incredibly proud to offer this scholarship as a way to honor Sho-Ping’s legacy and mentor future architects. Sho-Ping was a wonderful mentor and the impact of her work at our firm and in the profession is still felt today. I’m always inspired by the applicants and am thrilled we’re able to offer this opportunity.
Ching-Hua Ho, Principal
Remembering Sho-Ping Chin, FAIA
During her tenure at PAYETTE and throughout her career, Sho-Ping Chin, FAIA brought a fierce determination to designing high caliber spaces for those in need. This determination translated to a passion for civic responsibility and equity in the profession, as evidenced by her work for Saint Boniface Hospital in Haiti, among other endeavors. Sho-Ping led the healthcare practice at PAYETTE from 2000 to her untimely passing in 2015. At PAYETTE she focused exclusively on healthcare because she felt passionately about it. She worked continuously to inspire others to feel similarly. Her involvement on projects was comprehensive from inception with planning and programming to occupancy. She firmly believed successful outcomes are derived from an inclusive design process where she worked effectively to build and obtain consensus. In addition to her contributions as a Principal of the firm, she was a wonderful mentor and instilled her teams with a sense of camaraderie and commitment to design.
Saint Boniface Hospital, Haiti