Architecture as a Life Journey C.C. Lee, AIA, LEED AP President/ CEO STOA International Architects, Inc. Presentation for TAMU Architectural Students April 7, 2011

What is Architecture? “ A total environment made visible” Client says: In addition to functional, I want my building to look pretty! In addition to functional, I want my building to look pretty!

What is Design? To solve a problem creatively in a timely fashion To solve a problem creatively in a timely fashion Time is our most valuable asset Time is our most valuable asset Problem solving is a continuous Decision making process Problem solving is a continuous Decision making process Design should be like a poem: Precise, concise and condensed Design should be like a poem: Precise, concise and condensed

Who is Architect? Architect is a Translator: Architect is a Translator: Architect is a trained professional who listen, digest, organize and transform client’s intangible idea into a tangible form that is functional and pretty. Architect is a trained professional who listen, digest, organize and transform client’s intangible idea into a tangible form that is functional and pretty. “ Architect communicates ” “ Architect communicates ”

Leadership in Architecture Leaders ARE NOT Managers Leaders ARE NOT Managers Leaders do the right things Leaders do the right things Managers do the things right Managers do the things right Leaders offer big picture/vision, value, direction, confidence, empathy Leaders offer big picture/vision, value, direction, confidence, empathy Leader’s Responsibility: Customers, Staff, Investors, Society also technical competence Leader’s Responsibility: Customers, Staff, Investors, Society also technical competence Anticipation, Communication, Coordination Anticipation, Communication, Coordination Communication: Verbal, Written, Graphical Communication: Verbal, Written, Graphical Leaders create their own philosophy Leaders create their own philosophy Leadership is from inside Leadership is from inside

Lessons learned Life is not a smooth ride Life is not a smooth ride Life is full of challenges Life is full of challenges Life is a learning experience Life is a learning experience Life is a package deal Life is a package deal Life is a passion journey Life is a passion journey Life will have crisis Life will have crisis Crisis: Danger and Opportunity Crisis: Danger and Opportunity Opportunity is created by ourselves Opportunity is created by ourselves Visibility enhances Opportunity Visibility enhances Opportunity Persistence equal to success Persistence equal to success Create own philosophy: Surprise myself! Create own philosophy: Surprise myself!

My Suggestions: Who am I? Who am I? Why am I here? Why am I here? What do I want? What do I want? Where am I? Where am I? When to end? When to end? How? Goal, Plan, Execution How? Goal, Plan, Execution “Enjoy the Journey with Faith!”