Lee + Mundwiler Architects (a.k.a. leeMundwiler) is an architectural design studio based in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
, California and
Basel
, french: link=no, Bâlois(e), it, Basilese
, neighboring_municipalities= Allschwil (BL), Hégenheim (FR-68), Binningen (BL), Birsfelden (BL), Bottmingen (BL), Huningue (FR-68), Münchenstein (BL), Muttenz (BL), Reinach (BL), Riehen (BS ...
, Switzerland. Made up of founding architects
Cara Lee and Stephan Mundwiler, the studio is known for its clean, modern, and sustainable design along with futuristic concepts and theoretical industrial design.
Background
Before establishing offices in Los Angeles and Basel, the two principals met while pursuing
Master's Degree
A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. s at the architectural institute
SCI-Arc at the international branch in
Vico Morcote,
Switzerland. Lee is originally from Korea, Mundwiler is originally from Switzerland. They have been married since 1996.
Career
The studio has been the recipients of a number of prestigious regional and national
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to su ...
(AIA) Awards for both residential and commercial projects and for "Emerging Practice of the Year".
Lee + Mundwiler award-winning "Coconut House" that "tweaks iconic forms to deliver views without losing privacy." was photographed by legendary architectural photographer
Julius Shulman
Julius Shulman (October 10, 1910 – July 15, 2009) was an American architectural photographer best known for his photograph " Case Study House #22, Los Angeles, 1960. Pierre Koenig, Architect." The house is also known as the Stahl House. Shulm ...
with the assistance of photographer
Juergen Nogai
Juergen Nogai (born 2 July 1953 in Jessen/Elster, south of Berlin) is a German architecture, art and documentary photographer.
Biography
Early life
Juergen Nogai began his studies as a Fine Arts major with parallel studies in Film, Theatre a ...
in 2006. Lee and Mundwiler remained close friends with Shulman up until his death in 2009.
Notable Projects and Awards
Dapeng Geology Museum and Research Center, Shenzhen, China
* 2014 WAN Awards Winner for Civic Buildings
2011 AIA Emerging Practice Award
Bundesplatz - Government plaza in Bern, Switzerland
* 1992 AIA Competition Winner
* 2006 AIA National Honor Award for Urban Design
* 2006 AIA California Chapter Merit Award for Urban Design
* 2006 Nomination for 10 Best Projects in Switzerland
The Coconut House
* 2006 AIA National Housing Award
The Central Park of the New Radiant City, Guangming New Town, China
* 2009 Institute Honor Awards for Regional and Urban Design
Swiss Pavilion
2010 Expo
Expo 2010, officially the Expo 2010 Shanghai China, was held on both banks of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China, from 1 May to 31 October 2010. It was a major World Expo registered by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), in the tr ...
* 3rd Place in international open competition
Unique Design Concepts
Breathing Buildings
The core feature of Lee + Mundwiler's Swiss Pavilion project is its light and temperature-responsive exterior. Consisting of hundreds of red doors, the doors open and shut to maintain a consistent interior temperature and shade as sunlight moves. The purpose of the design is to simulate the way a living organism's skin, or a living cell would respond to environmental stimuli, while creating an energy-efficient and visually stunning solution to climate-control. Lee + Mundwiler's "Breathing Building" concept has been applied to several other theoretical projects.
"Ray of Hope" Iraqi Memorial
Consisting of a single ray of light projected from an orbiting satellite on a pre-determined path, the conceptually abstract "Ray of Hope" Iraqi memorial was designed to be seen all over the world, while having a practical use of supporting communications infrastructures in Iraq and other countries in need.
References
{{reflist
http://lm-arch.com/
http://lm-arch.com/projects.php?id=106
http://www.dwell.com/green/article/l-longevity
https://web.archive.org/web/20150910000833/http://www.aialosangeles.org/home-page-latest-news/aia-la-counts-down-to-the-2011-design-awards-ceremony-and-party-presented-by-italian-living-umbria-3#.UajrZciWXAE
http://www.aialaarchive.org/about/archives/member_news/nationalawardwinners.html
Architecture firms based in California
Companies based in Los Angeles