Shu Talun leads facade engineering in Boston and is helping expand RDH’s presence in New York. With a background in fine arts and a Master of Architecture from Harvard, she brings a holistic perspective to enclosure design. A lifelong learner, she values collaboration, mentorship, and strong project teams, and enjoys playing the piano after a busy day.
You have a degree in fine arts. How did you find your way to RDH?
I started in fine arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where drawing was less about representation and more about interpretation: understanding the underlying truth of a subject and translating it through material and medium. That way of thinking stayed with me as I moved into architecture at Harvard and later into practice.
Over time, I became increasingly interested in facades because they operate at a similar threshold. They are where ideas are tested against material reality, where performance, tolerance, and assembly define the limits of design. That curiosity led me to a curtain wall manufacturer, where I spent five years designing systems and learning how materials behave, how components come together, and how buildings are made.
RDH was a natural extension of that path. Consulting allows me to work at that intersection, connecting design intent and material performance across a broad range of systems and project types.
What’s been the biggest turning point in your career?
The biggest turning point for me was stepping away from architecture and into fabrication. Up to that point, I had been coordinating many layers of expertise to make a building work as a whole.
Working for a manufacturer was hugely impactful. It shaped how I understand facades, how systems and components are procured, and how design and engineering play out in everyday decisions.
Just as important, it changed how I think about a career path. That pivot made it clear that growth doesn’t have to be linear or tied to a single discipline. That shift, from generalist to specialist and from design to making, shapes how I approach projects today.
What misconceptions are there about facade engineering?
That a facade consultant isn’t necessary if there’s already an architect on the project, or that engineering can be deferred to the fabricator to save upfront costs.
In reality, early involvement is where a facade consultant adds the most value. It allows teams to make informed decisions based on building science, establish realistic baseline criteria, improve cost certainty, and avoid costly rework later in the process.
The increasing rigor of energy codes, particularly in places like Boston, is helping shift that perception. Clear definitions of facade systems and performance pathways are now required early on, reinforcing the need for dedicated expertise at the outset rather than later in the process.
How do you explain what you do to people?
It’s funny, my husband is an architect, and for him it’s very easy to explain. I usually say I focus on the building facade, the part that separates the inside from the outside and forms the face of the city.
My role is to help that system perform, keeping occupants comfortable while making that surface expressive and resilient over time.
Who has shaped how you think about your career?
I’ve had many great mentors. Early in my career, I was encouraged to do project management, and in architecture that can mean you’ll never draw again. I worried about losing something I loved.
One mentor said to me, “There’s nothing stopping you from drawing. There’s nothing stopping you from shaping your career around what matters to you.”
I’ve carried that advice with me ever since.
Tell me about something you’ve done recently that you’re proud of.
I recently finished a white paper, which feels like a big milestone for someone who started in art school.
It’s the kind of opportunity I don’t think I would have had anywhere but RDH. Daniel Haaland provided invaluable support throughout the process, and we’ve submitted it for review. I’m excited to see what opportunities it brings.
What’s something you’re currently into or spending your time on outside of work?
I have two kids, ages 10 and 13, and it’s my favorite stage. I love the sassiness, the fearlessness, and the confident sense of self. I’m also a hockey mom, which means a lot of time at the rink. I went to about 40 games last year. It’s probably a good thing there’s a layer of plexiglass between this very enthusiastic parent and the players.
Outside of that, I play piano in the evenings when things are quiet. I grew up with it and have come back to it over the past decade, mostly playing classical pieces.
