Fred Shen
Reflecting on over 35 Years of Innovation. When SM&W was founded over 35 years ago, there were two forces that shaped the vision of the firm: the emerging global economy, and the convergence of the specialty disciplinary services in building designs. To meet the first, SM&W set out to build a global footprint. To meet the second, we worked hard to join all the interrelated disciplines together to provide a single source of responsibility to serve our clients efficiently.
Fred Shen has been described as a visionary and a pioneer. Born in Shanghai, Fred moved to the U.S. to attend the University of Michigan where he received a B.S. in Engineering. Fred was a leader within the AEC community and fostered a culture of contribution and learning, clearly articulating his role within the industry. He believed in putting oneself in one’s client’s shoes, and staying at the forefront of evolving technology. Read more
1986
Shen Milsom & Wilke was founded in 1986 by Fred Shen and Denis Milsom as an acoustical consulting firm in New York City.Read more
1987
The team realizes early on the value of offering multi-discipline services. Hubert Wilke joins the firm which expands its services to include AV design.Read more
1988
SM&W designs the first dual-discipline project, The Franklin Institute’s Future Forum Video Wall with Acoustic and AV services.Read more
1989
SM&W opens its first international office in Hong Kong, collaborating with IM Pei on the Bank of China.Read more
1991
SM&W opens its London office to work on the Canary Wharf development and Goldman Sachs, among others European projects.Read more
1993
SM&W expands to include the IT discipline. The firm’s first major tri-discipline project is Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with Cesar Pelli.Read more
1996
SM&W opens a Washington DC office to support significant large scale projects including Federal Triangle, Bell Atlantic, and World Bank.Read more
1997
SM&W responds to clients’ request to open a Chicago office. Within a decade, the firm partners with world class architects and artist Juame Plensa on the Millennium Park Crown Fountain.Read more
1998
SM&W opens an office in the heart of San Francisco in response to demand from Silicon Valley and institutional clients such as the renowned de Young Museum with Herzog & de Meuron.Read more
2002
SM&W adds its fourth discipline, Security. Design and construction begins on the firm’s first quad-discipline project, the Comcast Center in Philadelphia, PA, with Robert AM Stern.Read more
2007
SM&W adds its fifth discipline, Medical Equipment Planning. SM&W designs its first quintuple–discipline project for Stanford University’s Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge, the most advanced simulation center of its time.Read more
2016
SM&W appoints Tom Shen to be President & Chief Executive Officer.Read more
Sunrise 1942 - Sunset 2016
Our beloved Founder passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Fred was a mentor and friend to all those who have worked with him during his career. He spent the last 30 years as the visionary behind SM&W’s success. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the firm’s 30th anniversary celebration at Carnegie Hall. Read more 
Today
SM&W has a staff of over 230 dedicated individuals in 13 offices on three continents. Our networ...Read more