About

 

Vanessa Liu is an award-winning architect and design leader with experience spanning luxury residential, mixed-use, commercial, educational, healthcare, institutional, and master planning projects in the United States and internationally.

As Principal Architect at PLACE Designers and previously founder of Enspace, Vanessa has led multidisciplinary teams, guided complex architectural projects, and developed lasting relationships with clients and industry partners. At Enspace, she oversaw a diverse portfolio representing more than $500 million in aggregate project value. Her earlier experience with internationally recognized firms, including HOK and BNIM, provided opportunities to contribute to major sports, cultural, and institutional developments.

Her approach to architecture is grounded in the belief that meaningful design begins with understanding people, place, and purpose. Combining creative exploration with technical expertise and business considerations, she seeks to create thoughtful, enduring environments that balance beauty, functionality, sustainability, and long-term value.

Having lived and worked across different cultures, Vanessa brings an international perspective to design and leadership. Her interests extend beyond architecture into art, filmmaking, travel, and the natural world—disciplines that continue to influence her creative thinking and appreciation for the human experience.

Vanessa holds a Master of Architecture from Kansas State University and has pursued additional studies in business, chemistry, and the arts. She is a licensed architect in multiple U.S. states and holds NCARB and LEED credentials.

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Professional Experience

Principal Architect | PLACE Designers

Austin, TX (Jul 2025—Present)

Lead architectural design and project delivery across a diverse portfolio of mixed-use, multifamily, retail, commercial, healthcare, and master planning projects. Oversee multidisciplinary teams, consultant coordination, and practice operations, balancing design excellence with technical requirements and project objectives. Contribute to business growth through client relationship development, strategic partnerships, and proposal leadership, including leading the winning proposal for a $2M+ architectural services contract.

Principal & Design Director | Enspace

San Francisco, CA (Mar 2018—Jun 2025)

Founded and directed an architectural design practice, leading more than 80 projects across the United States, China, and the Philippines, representing over $500 million in aggregate project value. Oversaw architectural design, project delivery, client relationships, and business operations across luxury residential, commercial, and master planning developments. Cultivated long-term client partnerships while integrating sustainable design principles, technical expertise, and commercial considerations into the practice.

Co-Founder & Director of Design | Gaia Homes

San Francisco, CA (Mar 2019—Jan 2022)

Co-founded a sustainable housing venture focused on customizable, net-zero energy modular homes. Led architectural design and product development, exploring innovative materials, prefabrication strategies, and energy-efficient building solutions. Advised homeowners on sustainable design and modular construction approaches to improve building performance and construction efficiency.

Project Architect & Manager | Kerman Morris Architects

San Francisco, CA (Feb 2016—Mar 2018)

Managed luxury residential and commercial projects, overseeing architectural design, construction documentation, permitting, and multidisciplinary coordination. Led the firm's transition from ArchiCAD to Revit, establishing BIM workflows and training staff to improve design coordination and project delivery. Collaborated closely with clients, consultants, and city officials to resolve technical challenges and navigate complex approval processes.

Project Architect | HOK

Kansas City, MO (May 2015—Feb 2016)

Contributed to major sports and entertainment developments in the United States and internationally, including Miami's Hard Rock Stadium and stadium projects for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Led architectural design and technical coordination from concept through construction, with responsibilities spanning building code analysis, project documentation, and construction administration.

Architectural Designer | BNIM

Kansas City, MO (May 2013—May 2015)

Contributed to award-winning educational, federal, and institutional projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and internationally recognized design firms, including Steven Holl Architects. Developed architectural designs, technical construction documentation, and coordinated building systems, gaining experience in sustainable design and complex institutional architecture.

Education

Master of Architecture

Kansas State University | 2013

Master's Thesis Program in Urban Planning

Kansas City Design Center | 2013

Art and Architecture

Santa Chiara Art Center, Italy | 2011

BS Management of Applied Chemistry

Ateneo de Manila University | 2007

Certificate in Global Business

Harvard Business School Online | 2020

Filmmaking Certificate Course

New York Film Academy | 2024

Licenses and Credentials

ARCHITECT REGISTRATION

Licensed in four U.S. states:

  • Missouri | 2015

  • California | 2018

  • Colorado | 2023

  • Texas | 2024

NCARB CERTIFICATION

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards | 2015

LEED ACCREDITATION

U.S. Green Building Council | 2015

Accredited in all five LEED specialties:

  • Building Design + Construction (BD+C)

  • Operations + Maintenance (O+M)

  • Interior Design + Construction (ID+C)

  • Neighborhood Development (ND)

  • Homes

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS TECHNOLOGIST (CDT)

Construction Specifications Institute | 2015

WATER EFFICIENCY CERTIFICATION

U.S. Green Building Council | 2025

Awards & Recognition

 

First Place, Modular Home International Design Competition (Indonesia) | 2022

First Place, International Architectural and Landscape Design Competition (China) | 2020

Emerging Professional of the Year, American Institute of Architects (AIA) | 2014

Professional Honor Award, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) | 2014

Design Excellence Honor Award, American Institute of Architects (AIA) | 2013

Kremer Prize, American Institute of Architects (AIA) | 2013

Design Citation Award, American Institute of Architects (AIA) | 2012

High Achiever Award, Phi Kappa Phi | 2012

Excellence in Design, National Organization for Minority Architects (NOMA) | 2010

Second Place, Kansas State University Rendering Competition | 2009

Honorable Mention, U.S. Bayer Stone Design Competition | 2008

 
 

ABOUT  /  BUILDINGS  /  CONTACT

ABOUT

Vanessa Liu

AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, CSI CDT

Vanessa Liu is an award-winning architect and design leader whose work spans luxury residential, mixed-use, commercial, cultural, sports, and institutional developments, as well as master planning. Her experience combines design direction, multidisciplinary leadership, client relationships, and business strategy across projects in the United States and internationally.

View projects →   Download résumé

Portrait of Vanessa Liu
120+ projects

Across the United States and international markets.

$500M+

Aggregate design and construction portfolio value at Enspace.

$2M+

Architectural services contract secured through a winning proposal in 2026.

Vanessa connects design direction with the relationships and decisions needed to move projects forward, bringing together client priorities, technical requirements, and business considerations.

Her experience includes leading multidisciplinary groups of up to 20 design professionals and consultants, cultivating client relationships, developing proposals, and negotiating architectural services. At PLACE Designers, she led a winning proposal that secured a $2M+ architectural services contract in 2026 for an Austin affordable housing project comprising more than 200 residential units.

At Kerman Morris Architects, she introduced Revit workflows and trained staff during a firm-wide software transition.

Clients & collaborators

Browse client and colleague testimonials

“We have been working with Vanessa on multiple projects for over five years. She is the consummate professional—answers our questions thoroughly, guides us through plans and ideas, and follows up without having to be reminded. Everything you need in a designer, architect, teammate, and partner!”

Noreen Sandino

Client

“Vanessa is an absolute GEM. She’s an incredible designer. Her attention to detail and quality is top-notch. She does a wonderful job of understanding my vision but isn’t afraid to bring fresh ideas. She's a wonderful person and designer, and I am blessed to have her in my corner.”

Tilly Anderson

Client

“Vanessa is a wonderful listener and creative problem solver. She worked with our limited budget to take a small home and build in everything on my senior parent’s wish list for comfortable living. She’s professional and personable.”

Charice Holtsclaw

Client

“Very approachable, talented, and hardworking. Can do things quicker and better than anybody else I have ever worked with. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to working with you more in the future.”

Gilbert Sy

Client

“Amazingly talented architect! Listens attentively to clients and very skilled in design and technical expertise. Highly recommend for your next project.”

Samantha McCloud

Collaborator

Architecture, people, and place

Her approach to architecture begins with understanding the people, place, and purpose behind each project. Creative exploration is grounded in technical knowledge and an understanding of the business decisions that shape what gets built.

As Principal Architect at PLACE Designers and previously founder of Enspace, Vanessa has led architectural design, multidisciplinary coordination, client relationships, and practice development. Her experience also includes co-founding Gaia Homes, a modular housing design-build venture. Earlier work at Kerman Morris Architects, HOK, and BNIM contributed to her experience across practices of different scales.

Practice & leadership

Vanessa brings together architectural design, project strategy, and the relationships needed to advance complex work. Her experience includes guiding multidisciplinary teams through planning, design coordination, and project delivery.

With more than eight years of experience leading an architectural practice, Vanessa has cultivated client relationships, developed strategic partnerships, pursued new business opportunities, and guided project teams. Her leadership extends beyond design to encompass proposals, contract negotiations, and the business considerations that shape successful projects.

For Bastrop West, a 390-acre mixed-use master plan in Texas, she worked directly with the developer, engaged with city representatives, coordinated consultants, and developed the planning narrative and architectural pattern book. Her work combines design judgment with commercial awareness and collaborative leadership.

Professional experience
Principal Architect | PLACE Designers

Austin, Texas | July 2025 to Present

Lead architectural design and project delivery across mixed-use, multifamily, commercial, healthcare, and master planning work. Work directly with developers, coordinate consultants, and help develop new client relationships. Lead marketing efforts and partner with the firm’s business development lead on outreach, proposals, and new business opportunities.

Principal & Design Director | Enspace

San Francisco, California | March 2018 to June 2025

Founded and directed an architectural practice serving projects in the United States, China, and the Philippines. Oversaw design direction, client relationships, project delivery, and business operations across a portfolio with more than $500M in aggregate design and construction value.

Co-Founder & Director of Design | Gaia Homes

San Francisco, California | March 2019 to January 2022

Co-founded a modular housing design-build venture. Led architectural design for modular housing models and client adaptations, coordinating design requirements with fabrication, transportation, and installation.

Project Architect & Manager | Kerman Morris Architects

San Francisco, California | February 2016 to March 2018

Led residential and commercial projects through design, documentation, permitting, and coordination with consultants and city officials. Worked directly with developers across multiple residential and commercial projects, including The Franklin and Noe Valley Four. Led the change from ArchiCAD to Revit and trained staff in the new workflows.

Project Architect | HOK

Kansas City, Missouri | May 2015 to February 2016

Contributed to major sports and entertainment projects, including Hard Rock Stadium, the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility, and stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Responsibilities included design coordination, building code analysis, documentation, and construction administration, with site work in Miami.

Architectural Designer | BNIM

Kansas City, Missouri | May 2013 to May 2015

Contributed to cultural, educational, and institutional projects, including The REACH and Lewis Arts Complex with Steven Holl Architects. Worked on Revit models, architectural detailing, construction documents, and coordination with engineering disciplines.

Education

Master of Architecture

Kansas State University · 2013

Urban Planning
Kansas City Design Center · 2013

Art and Architecture
Santa Chiara Art Center, Italy · 2011

BS Management of Applied Chemistry

Ateneo de Manila University · 2007

Certificate in Global Business

Harvard Business School Online · 2020

Filmmaking Coursework

New York Film Academy · 2024

Registration & accreditation

Architect registration

Missouri · 2015
California · 2018
Colorado · 2023
Texas · 2024

NCARB Certification

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards · 2015

LEED accreditation

U.S. Green Building Council · 2015

Building Design + Construction (BD+C)
Operations + Maintenance (O+M)
Interior Design + Construction (ID+C)
Neighborhood Development (ND)
Homes

Construction Documents Technologist (CDT)

Construction Specifications Institute · 2015

Water Efficiency Certification

U.S. Green Building Council · 2025

Awards & recognition
  • 2022 First Place, Modular Home Design Competition Abang Island, Indonesia
  • 2020 First Place, International Architectural and Landscape Design Competition City of Chongqing, China
  • 2014 Emerging Professional of the Year American Institute of Architects
  • 2014 Professional Honor Award American Society of Landscape Architects
  • 2013 Design Excellence Honor Award American Institute of Architects
  • 2013 Kremer Prize American Institute of Architects
  • 2012 Design Citation Award American Institute of Architects, Kansas Chapter
  • 2012 High Achiever Award Phi Kappa Phi
  • 2010 Excellence in Design National Organization for Minority Architects
  • 2009 Second Place, Architectural Rendering Competition Kansas State University
  • 2008 Honorable Mention, Nature of Repose Design Competition US Bayer Stone
Earlier academic recognition
  • 2008 to 2012 Dean’s List Kansas State University
  • 2007 Top 2% Student Award Ateneo de Manila University
  • 2002 National Excellence in Mathematics President of the Republic of the Philippines
  • 2002 Mathematics Distinction Award Australian Mathematics Competition

Art, science, and stewardship

Vanessa sees architecture as an interaction between art and science. Imagination gives a project its direction; observation, analysis, and testing help turn that vision into a building that works. Her background in business and chemistry informs an approach that considers both the individual detail and the wider system.

Her commitment to sustainability is practical and long-term: buildings that last, resources used with care, and places that can adapt as people’s lives change. The aim is to leave the built environment better for those who follow.

Outside architecture, Vanessa is a painter, writer, and skydiver.