Mike Lee 

I operate with a synergy of living, working and learning. By combining all three components in any project – personal or professional – I seek to create an environment of intensified value in everything I do. I find joy in my work as I find professional value in my leisure activities, and I never, ever stop pushing myself to learn new things. As they say, I work hard and play hard.

Although I am trained as an architect, I believe that all types of design thinking are part of everyday life. And as we seek to live to the fullest we should seek to create the most out of any situation, any material, any environment. The ideas we realize around us define us. Therefore, I practice a diverse range of ideation - be it architecture, art, industrial design, ecology or animation.

Though my abilities are diverse, I have retrospectively discovered an underlying theme in my design work. I tend to design with a sensitivity toward temporal use and transformation as well as modularity. These aspects of design are no doubt a result of the time that we are currently living in. As the conditions which make up the present are always in flux, I constantly seek to maintain a diverse skill-set - some of which revolve around technology. I constantly seek to combine meaning and making which often results in experimentation with digital media and digital fabrication. A derivative of this is my interest in open-source software. As open-source software is in a constant beta state, it identifies with my approach to design. This approach is indicative of my core beliefs – beliefs which I sought to explore in my architectural thesis. 

Having recently graduated and entered into the practice of architecture, I still maintain a strong interest in the exploration of various idation media. Learning and sharing is what has gotten me to this point and I see no reason to stop just because I'm no longer in school. My goal (for now) is to simultaneously continue on the traditional path to licensure and exploration of ideation media. 

Manifesto

Design is about an idea. It is finding the immaterial within the material. My work is a process that explores the intangible ideas and emotions that lie within tangible media. Architecture is a manifestation of intensified value in space and time. It should move and inspire, evoke emotion and question limits. I make a point to realize these ideas where aesthetics and functionality meet in an effort to produce works with intimate detail and panoramic sensibility. A building may inexorably crumble to the ground and architects may come and go; but good design is timeless. It is so, because an idea may never die.

Honors and Awards

AIA VT Prize

"This prestigious honor and monetary award is bestowed upon one of the graduating Master of Architecture students after a selection committee from AIA VT performs a thorough review of the entire class’ work. The selected thesis project is judged to be the best with regard to its design, comprehension and the beauty of its representation." 

Norwich University School of Architecture + Art Portfolio Excellence 2011.

Town of Shelburne Planning Commission call for proposals: Design poster selected for presentation and discussion, People's Choice - poster tied for popular vote.

Norwich University School of Architecture + Art End of Semester Best Of Show: Fall '07, Spring '08, Spring'09, Fall '10.

Norwich University School of Architecture + Art Senior Architecture Showcase 2006: Third Place Scholarship.