Seattle Archives

On October 31, 2018, the Washington State China Relations Council held the second session of its new Founders Forum series, featuring Hui Tian, Founder of Studio19 Architects. The WSCRC Founders Forum highlights leaders in US-China innovation in technology, entrepreneurship, and business. Participants contribute to a targeted, meaningful dialogue with a Founder/CEO working on the front lines of US-China relations. Discussions feature the trials and tribulations of starting a company, operating across cultures, and growing an international business.

Studio19 is a full-service architecture and interior design firm specializing in a wide variety of project types including mixed-use, multi-family residential, hotels/hospitality, offices, retail, and high-end custom homes. After almost 10 years of operations, Studio19 Architects encompasses a strong team of architects and designers. It has completed several extensive projects throughout the Greater Seattle area, as well as in other cities. Since founding the company almost ten years ago, Hui Tian has seen the firm take on increasingly extensive projects in the Greater Seattle Area and around the world. Speaking about shifting from an emerging architect contributing to projects at large firms to founding her own firm, Hui emphasized the importance of feeling ownership over her work.

On the topic of US-China trade relations, Hui detailed that she will continue working along international lines in upcoming projects. Given her background as a minority woman business owner in Washington state, she eloquently described the inspiration behind the founding her firm. She cited client approval and referrals as key to the growing success of Studio19 Architects. She also expressed pride in the fact that several employees at Studio19 will be celebrating their five and ten-year anniversaries with the firm. The lively Q&A session addressed Studio19’s various projects, as well as the experiences of the firm working with American and Chinese partners.

WSCRC extends special thanks Hui Tian of Studio19 Architects for furnishing refreshments.

On September 28, 2017, WSCRC convened this month’s second session of the Policy Briefing Series – the seventh session since the Series’ launch in April – at US Bank in Seattle. Vincent Yao, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, discussed Taiwan trade relations and prospects for Washington state.

Mr. Yao assumed the office of TECO Seattle’s Direct General in 2016 and has been impressed with Washington’s wealth of strategic industries. Washington is one of Taiwan’s most valued trade partners, making up 7.2% of all two-way trade traffic between the US and Taiwan. Taiwan is Washington’s 7^th largest export market and 5^th largest import source, and Taiwan is the destination for 4% of all Washington exports.

Taiwan boasts a central location in the Asia-Pacific region and well-developed industrial clusters—assets which it has strategically leveraged to establish itself both as a leading US trade partner and a key player in the Asian-Pacific supply and production chain. Furthermore, Taiwan has intentionally focused its efforts in major innovative industries such as aerospace, cloud computing, and smart machinery, to enhance its globally competitive edge. Mr. Yao noted that Taiwan’s current growth in healthcare, biotechnology, and renewable energy could also pose investment prospects for Washington. TECO Seattle also aims to attract more Washington industries to the numerous world class trade shows hosted in Taiwan each year to boost international exposure.

An extremely trade-dependent economy, Taiwan is open and flexible in terms of trade and investment. Mr. Yao believes that Taiwan and Washington’s industries complement each other well. “We attach great importance to this bilateral trade partnership,” Mr. Yao explained, making it clear that TECO endeavors to maximize trade relations and partnerships across industries. Investment is traveling both directions, and the Director General invited interested companies to “give him a call,” to discover the benefits of deepened and expanded trade relations between Taiwan and Washington.

Founders Forum: Conversation with Hui Tian

U.S.-Taiwan Trade Relations: Prospects for Washington State

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