FACT FILE
Name: Gerard Lee
Age: 38
Hometown: Seremban, Negri Sembilan
Education: St Paul's Secondary Institution, Negri Sembilan; California Polytechnic State University and Washington Alexandria Architecture Consortium, Virginia Tech, United States
Profession: Architect
Current base: Concord, California
Years abroad: 16

As a child, Gerard Lee's hobby was drawing houses. He admired colonial buildings and often pondered on the majestic structures and the mechanics behind them. Never did he imagine that he would some day be an architect in the United States.

Today, this former "artist" is a licensed architect and principal of Gerard Lee Architects (GLA), an architectural

company based in Concord, California. Prior to this, he worked for BSA Architects in San Francisco and was the youngest associate firm in the company.

Lee, the youngest of four siblings, was born and bred in Seremban, Negri Sembilan. His father was an army captain while his mother worked as an educator. Lee did his secondary education at St Paul's Secondary Institution in Seremban.

Upon completing his Form Six, he was accepted to pursue a degree in Forestry at Universiti Pertanian (now Putra) Malaysia in Serdang, Selangor.

Gerard Lee.

"I turned down the offer as I had always wanted to be an architect since Primary Six. I truly believed that I could make a difference by designing better buildings that work in harmony with the environment. I have an affinity for old buildings throughout Malaysia. If people look at them carefully, they may actually see some grace and beauty waiting to be uncovered," said Lee in an e-mail interview recently.

Fuelled by his passion, Lee moved to Petaling Jaya to pursue a drafting course in a private college. There, he developed an innate love for designing and this confirmed his interest in architecture.

In 1989, he enrolled at the Diablo Valley College (DVC) at Pleasant Hill in California. Later, he obtained a transfer to the prestigious California Polytechnic State University (Calpoly) and in 1993, clinched the enviable American Institute of Architects and Oltmans Construction scholarships. He was also accepted into the San Francisco Urban internship programme, a speciality programme offered by Calpoly.

The following year, he was accepted at Washington Alexandria Architecture Consortium, an extension of the prestigious Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Over there, this bright student attained an award for achievement in most technical advancement in computers and computer aided drafting (CAD) abilities and became a member of the American Institute of Architects.

After graduating, Lee secured a job with BSA Architects in San Francisco, a firm renowned for its ski resort designs.

"It was a challenge. It wasn't easy for someone like me (from a minority group) to succeed in architecture in America. I worked hard and was made associate three years after college. While working as an associate with the firm, I helped revitalise their education studio and became an expert on college building designs for California, a much sought after expertise in the States," said Lee, who resides in Concord with his Singaporean wife Evelyn Wong.

Among the projects Lee accomplished while at BSA Architects is the Robert Livermore Community Centre, the largest community centre in the San Francisco Bay Area.

After 10 years, Lee started GLA which specialises in designing of education, resort, residential, recreation, commercial and community architecture.

Lee is currently working on a boutique hotel in San Francisco, California. The project is unique as it incorporates "green technology" – architectural designs that are environmentally friendly.

Lee hopes to be able to introduce such avant-garde projects in Malaysia. He said: "I want to help create a better world by designing better buildings. I would like to use my talents back in Malaysia and educate people on ‘green' buildings. It's good for the environment and long-term profits."

He hasn't forgotten his humble roots and is always thinking of ways to help society. Lee tries to give back to society by lecturing at DVC. He specialises in teaching the introductory classes to architecture design.

"My late mother taught me the importance of giving back to society. Plus, my wife is a good influence. We work as a team and support each other in our endeavours.

"I may not be rich but I'm a fortunate man. I'm lucky to have a talent for architecture and even luckier to be able to use it in my profession. How many people can say their work is something they love doing?

"I continue to teach because it's something that I enjoy. It's my way of giving back to the community. I try to pass on my enthusiasm for architecture and design to the next generation of architects. I serve as a guest critic for fifth year design students from Calpoly and occasionally provide guidance to high school students who need advice on this profession," he added.

Despite having lived abroad for over 15 years, Lee is still a true blue Malaysian. He misses his family and whenever he is back, he makes it a point to savour local delights especially char kuay teow and Penang laksa.

"Somehow, after growing up in Malaysia, I feel food anywhere else in the world doesn't quite measure up. Luckily Malaysian food is quite popular here so a number of Malaysian restaurants have been popping up. It's never the same as back home but it serves its purpose. Luckily for me, my wife is a Straits Chinese (like me) and has great culinary skills," said Lee, a seven-dan tae kwon do exponent.

During his free time, Lee goes rock-climbing, snow boarding and roller-blading with his wife. As for indoor activities, it's not hard to imagine him designing environmentally friendly buildings!

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