In The Spotlight - Tomoe Yunoki

Tomoe – our one-time intern turned junior Architectural Interiors designer – shares her thoughts about working for MWA, the importance of plants, and the gift she treasures above all others. Allow us to introduce you!

What’s a typical day at MWA like for you?

In five years, I’ve never had one day be the same as another. But every day is full of creativity, collaborations, and challenges.

What have you learned about architecture from being with the firm?

We spend about 90% of our time indoors, so well-thought, well-designed space really does shape our lifestyle for the better. I have seen lots of examples of that while working on projects at MWA.

Complete this sentence: Every house needs…..

….a comfortable seating space for dining! It can be casual, formal, big, or small – but it needs to be cozy, so people can gather to share a good meal and laughs.

What’s one thing we would never find in your home?

A room without a plant! I love having green, so I have at least one plant in every room in our house.

Let’s talk more about your home: What’s on your coffee table right now?

A candle, a box of cookies, and two books.

What’s the last thing you bought for your house?

Paint. My husband and I are planning to refinish our kitchen cabinets. Fingers crossed!

Describe the most meaningful thing you own.

That would be a set of rice bowls from my sister. When people get married in Japan, they receive a pair of china that defines them as a couple. My sister brought the bowls – called “Meoto Jyawan,” or bowls for a husband and wife – and they always remind me to appreciate my family in Japan and here in the United States.

How do you enjoy spending your time when you’re not at work?

I love to read. I enjoy learning about plants, and gardening. I do yoga. And I do small updates on our house.

We know you love your job. But if you weren’t in the design field, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

Teaching. Both my parents are teachers, and I think I carry the gene to be passionate about education.

What else might someone be surprised to learn about you?

Five languages are spoken in my house. I speak English and Japanese. My husband speaks English, Aramaic, Arabic, and Kurdish. We keep learning each other’s languages.