Lee²Design/ JLA+D

06/05/2025

We’re Going Public!

After more than 2 years of multiple design studies across multiple possible sites, we’re excited to announce our first public hearing with the Cambridge Historic Commission for a meaningful project in Harvard Square.

After being under wraps for so long, later today we’ll finally unveil the design for the future home of the Harvard University Native American Program.

HUNAP, a powerful interfaculty initiative, supports the development, achievement, and impact of American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Indigenous students.

For us at LEE²DESIGN, it is an honor and a privilege to help shape a space that reflects, uplifts, and supports this vibrant community.

05/18/2025

What I love most about LEE²DESIGN is the creative range our work allows.

From:
crafting the interior design of the main lobby at the iconic Johnson Museum by I. M. Pei
translating the beauty of indigenous artwork into a bespoke rainscreen façade for a new cultural building
to reimagining the layout of a growing family’s private residence during a major renovation and expansion—

Every project shares one core value:
We design for people.
We shape spaces that elevate daily life and make the built environment more meaningful, thoughtful, sustainable and human.

In a fast-paced world of tight deadlines and lean budgets, it's essential to step back and reconnect with inspiration—to recharge the creative tools that fuel our work.

Today is one of those days.

I’m headed to New York City to attend the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF)—ready to explore, touch, and get inspired by the latest in furniture design.

Stay tuned for discoveries and reflections from the show.

Warmly,

Kathrin

02/10/2025

What does Football Have to do with Architecture?

Last night, history was made. The Philadelphia Eagles soared to victory in Super Bowl LIX, not just as champions on the field, but as a testament to the power of diversity, inclusivity, and community. A team built on strength, perseverance, and unity, they reclaimed their glory after a previous Super Bowl loss—showing us that resilience is everything.
And what better stage for this moment than the Caesars Superdome—an architectural marvel with the world’s largest fixed dome, standing tall as a symbol of endurance. This stadium is more than a venue; it’s a monument to survival, having once served as a shelter during Hurricane Katrina, protecting thousands in their time of need. Today, it witnessed another display of resilience: a diverse, determined team rising to greatness.
All of this unfolded in the heart of New Orleans, a city shaped by art, culture, and a rich Black and African American heritage. A place where history and creativity blend effortlessly, where every street tells a story, and where the spirit of the people is as vibrant as its architecture.

At LEE²DESIGN, we believe design is more than just structures—it’s about the communities they serve, the cultures they reflect, and the inclusivity they foster. The Superdome, the Eagles, and the city of New Orleans remind us that great design and great teams thrive on the same principles: strength, adaptability, and a deep connection to people.
Let's empower, inspire, and unite—just like last night’s champions and the stadium that stood the test of time.

Artwork by Kathrin Lee, Lee²Design

01/29/2025

It is the YEAR OF THE SNAKE — Wishing everyone a joyous and prosperous Chinese New Year!

As a husband-and-wife team and with Justin's roots in Hong Kong, we hold family values close to our hearts. This time of year reminds us of the importance of renewal—both in life and in our work. At LEE²DESIGN, we take inspiration from our diverse cultural backgrounds, blending tradition and innovation to bring fresh, creative ideas to our architectural and design projects.

Chinese New Year is a celebration of new beginnings, prosperity, and unity, and we embrace these principles as we continue to push the boundaries of design, building spaces that inspire and connect people. Here’s to a year filled with growth, creativity, and meaningful connections!

01/20/2025

Today, as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we reflect on the power of diversity and inclusion. At LEE²DESIGN we're proud to be a certified Minority Business Enterprise, embracing the strength that diverse teams bring to community-driven projects. We believe that by celebrating different perspectives, we create more innovative, equitable, and meaningful spaces for everyone. Together, we build stronger communities.
Artwork by Kathrin Lee, Lee²Design

01/03/2025

LEE²DESIGN has recently been working on a residential project in Jamaica Plain, Boston. We redesigned the entire home, which included opening up the dining room and living room, renovating the upper floors to create an additional bathroom, and converting the previously unused attic into a master suite. As shown here, we also created a sunroom. Our clients are avid gardeners, so we wanted to bring their backyard garden into their home and give them a flexible, sun-filled space where they can grow herbs, relax, and get work done. Stay tuned for the final result along with photos of the entire home. In the meantime, we hope you all had a restful holiday and wish you a joyful start to the new year!

12/17/2024

Last Friday, Justin and Kathrin gave students at the Jun Zi Lan Montessori School a tour of the Harvard Art Museums. The three to six-year-olds got to explore the galleries, learn about the architecture of the museum directly from its architect, see works by Van Gogh, Picasso and Matisse up-close, and even visit the 5th floor Lightbox Gallery where they admired the Cambridge skyline and learned about art conservation. The visit was priceless; throughout the tour, the children walked around hand-in-hand, gleefully ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the beauty all around them.

Good architecture has a profound effect on the human soul, and it is so important to light the spark of curiosity in our youngest members of society so they can grow up to recognize it, appreciate it, and perhaps one day build it. We were honored to contribute to the youngsters learning, and grateful to the educators at Jun Zi Lan for making this trip possible. A huge thank you to everyone. Happy holidays!

11/23/2024

This week marks the 10 year anniversary of the opening of the Harvard Art Museums, a renovation and expansion project that Justin served as the project architect for while at Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

Justin spent 8 years working on this award-winning renovation, flying back and forth from Italy and eventually relocating to Cambridge to see it through. He considers it one of (if not the) defining projects of his career so far. Its most remarkable feature is the iconic glass skylight called the “Lantern,” which spreads out over 3 previously separate historic buildings to create a magnificent, light flooded courtyard. In addition to its impressive galleries, the museums hosts year round workshops, classes, and events to bring together the local community. LEE2DESIGN is honored to have worked on a number of projects with HAM since its opening, and looks forward to our continued collaboration.

Check out this time lapse of its construction, and be sure to pay the gorgeous space a visit!

June 2010 - November 2014 ___ Part of records transfer HUAM.RECORDS.2018.47. Contact the Archives at [email protected] for more information. ArchivesSpace…

11/15/2024

A few years ago, Justin served as a trustee and as the Chair of the Facilities Committee for the United World College, which he attended in his teenage years (UWC-USA). He helped the institution create a new masterplan to rebuild the historic campus in response to the academic community’s modern needs. In his words, “our world has changed significantly while the buildings on campus have not.”

Thrilled at the opportunity to work on his former school, Justin advised the institution, set benchmarks for development, and reviewed the master plan designed by a local firm. He was particularly passionate about improving sustainability, and challenged the UWC-USA to adopt active and passive solar projects as well as make use of New Mexico’s tremendous natural resources by converting them into solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Justin also advised on campus safety operations, maintenance projects, and construction. He encouraged the school to create future buildings that emphasize social interaction, foster collaboration, and support the diverse needs of the community, where international students make up 80% of the student body and come from over 70 different countries.

Justin found it incredibly fulfilling to work on a project with which he had a deep personal connection, and is excited to see the campus continue to evolve!

11/01/2024

LEE²DESIGN recently finished the interior design of the Appel Lobby at Cornell University’s Herbert Johnson Museum of Art. The building itself was designed by star architect I. M. Pei. We were honored to work inside this iconic space, and used light wood and fabric along with floating millwork to create a contrast with the building's monumental concrete presence. If ever in Ithaca, be sure to check out the gorgeous museum and galleries - and perhaps sit in some new chairs!

10/14/2024

Happy !

As many of you know, LEE²DESIGN is currently designing the exciting new building that will house Harvard University’s Native American Program (HUNAP).

Our site is located between Harvard Yard and the student dorms, close to the bustling Harvard square. While highly visible, it is also surrounded by historically-protected victorian houses, which raises important questions about indigenous representation amidst a lingering colonial presence. LEE²DESIGN is exploring how to appropriately reconcile this presence, and strike a balance between responding to the site’s historical context and visually expressing HUNAP’s cultural identity.

Though we cannot share design details just yet, our overarching mission is to create a building that will be loved by its users, will be welcoming to the public, and which will provide a sense of belonging for Native American students at Harvard. Stay tuned!