Cara Lee facts for kids

Cara Lee is an American architect who was born in Korea. She is one of the people who started the architecture company Lee + Mundwiler Architects in Los Angeles.

About Cara Lee

Early Life and Education

Cara Lee was born in Korea. She moved to the United States and studied architecture at Kent State University from 1992 to 1994.

Later, she went to the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in Vico Morcote, Switzerland. She studied there from 1994 to 1996 and earned a master's degree in architecture. While at SCI-Arc, she met her partner, Mundwiler, and they got married in 1996.

Her Architecture Career

In August 2003, Cara Lee and her partner, Mundwiler, started their own architecture company called Lee + Mundwiler Architects. Their company is based in Los Angeles.

Even though they have a small team of less than 10 people, they work on many different types of projects. These projects range from designing small family homes to planning large city areas. Their firm is well-known for creating modern and eco-friendly designs.

Ideas Behind Her Designs

Cara Lee likes to create designs that are clear and meaningful. She and her partner focus on important ideas in their work. They have design concepts like "Breathing Buildings" and "Ray of Hope." These ideas help them create buildings that are not only beautiful but also smart and helpful.

Cool Projects She Worked On

Cara Lee and her firm have worked on many interesting projects around the world. Here are a few examples:

• Dapeng Geology Museum and Research Center: This project was a competition winner in Shenzhen, China. It's a museum where people can learn about rocks and the Earth's history.
• Coconut House: This house in Los Angeles, USA, was featured on a modern home tour. It's known for its unique and modern design.
• Quarry Museum: Located in Antuoshan, Shenzhen, China, this museum was part of a competition where her firm was one of the top three finalists.
• Air Garden Mobile Theater: This was a competition project for a movable theater in Long Beach, USA.
• Parfanna 79 Units Housing: Her firm won a competition to design this large housing project.
• Bridge over Pearl Delta: In Guangdong, China, her firm won second prize in a competition to design a bridge.
• Guangming Central Park: This urban design project in Shenzhen, China, was a competition winner. It's a big park designed for city life.
• Swiss Pavilion for 2010 World Fair: Her firm won third prize in a competition to design the Swiss Pavilion for the World Fair in Shanghai, China.
• Swiss Government Piazza (Bundesplatz): This project in Bern, Switzerland, was a competition winner and was finished in 2004. It's a public square in front of the Swiss government building.

Awards and Recognition

Cara Lee and her firm have won many awards for their amazing designs. Some of these include:

• 2005 AIA California Honor Award: For the Swiss Government Piazza.
• 2006 AIA National Honor Award: Also for the Swiss Government Piazza.
• 2006 AIA National Housing Award: For the Coconut House.
• 2008 AIA California Merit Award: For the Guangming Central Park.
• 2009 AIA National Honor Award: For the Guangming Central Park.
• 2011 AIA LA Presidential Emerging Practice Award: This award recognized her firm as an important new architecture practice.
• 2013 AIA California Merit Award: For the Geology Museum.
• 2014 WAN Awards: For Civic Buildings, which are public buildings like museums or government offices.