Interview with Junghee Lee

I became a architect because I realized that I am happiest when I create what I envision.

choose to become a designer

I want to create designs that fully express the imagination still in my mind that I haven't yet realized.

Keep thinking, read novels, watch movies, and listen to music continuously.

I don't see the point in distinguishing between the two.

A good design should resonate with the heart. Understanding through explanation does not make a good design.

Good design makes people in the world happy.

I want to create a design just for myself.

Designing a house for my family to live in.

There are so many. Numerous filmmakers, musicians, and all the architects in the world.

I still love the simple and unembellished designs of Mies van der Rohe and Dieter Rams.

My favorite project is my first one, 'Daebong-dong Commercial.' It's because it was the project where I most deliciously combined materials like concrete, wood, glass, and metal.

Just keep doing it consistently.

I am an independent film director and a hip-hop DJ. If I hadn't become a designer, I would have spent most of my life making films and creating music.

Design is simply the act of bringing your thoughts and imaginations into reality.

There is no one.

Countless movies and music.

Feeling lazy and wanting to quit halfway.

For a designer who tends to dislike being in the spotlight, this can be a significant challenge. I am the same way. However, designers must actively promote their work somehow.

I am designing a house for a family by the seaside. I am thinking about how nature and the house can harmonize with each other.

I don't have any grand goals. I just want to keep doing this work, and that's enough for me.

I have never thought about other people's expectations until now.

Design will make people happy and change their way of thinking.

I have a project collaborating with DJs. I am exploring the integration of music and architecture.

My favorite project is my first one, 'Daebong-dong Commercial.' It's because it was the project where I most deliciously combined materials like concrete, wood, glass, and metal.

It is clear that advancements in AI will lead to overall improvements in standards. However, good design may become even more scarce.

It's moving towards uniformity.

The actual time spent on pure design is quite short. However, the follow-up work to implement it takes 2-3 months.

I simply take out and use the thoughts I've stored in my mind one by one.

Persistent and continuous work.

I think both are correct.

Technology and design are inseparable. When designing, technology is crucial and they function as one.

rhino, sketchup, logic, pencil

Elements that complete a design.

What were your thoughts when you first came up with this design?

Based on this, more new ideas are generated.

I believe that a complete design starts from an individual's solitary thought. Partner or collaborative design work is just business.

There are so many. Numerous filmmakers, musicians.

Countless novels of the world.

With each project, I experienced mistakes and used those experiences to improve step by step.

I want to have conversations with people from different cultures. The differences in thoughts that come from fundamental, innate environments are quite fascinating.

I still don't think I am in that position.

Blue, temple, Sashimi, spring, turntable, Technics.

After finishing, sometimes I think of a better idea later. When that happens, I boldly redo it.

I spend a certain amount of time designing every day regularly. I just keep going with the mindset that this is my life.

I never thought of it that way. I was just a boy interested in the many fascinating things in the world.

Humans will no longer exist on Earth.

2m2 Architects aims to present new cultural and social possibilities in the conventional and traditional Korean architectural scene. They are interested in various fields beyond architecture, such as design, music, video, and street culture, and they collaborate on projects with these diverse areas.

2m2 Architects aims to present new cultural and social possibilities in the conventional and traditional Korean architectural scene. They are interested in various fields beyond architecture, such as design, music, video, and street culture, and they collaborate on projects with these diverse areas.

house, furniture, music, t-shirts

My favorite project is my first one, 'Daebong-dong Commercial.' It's because it was the project where I most deliciously combined materials like concrete, wood, glass, and metal.

concrete, steel, wood, glass

I feel most creative when I bring my imagined ideas to life exactly as I envisioned them.

I intentionally try to avoid existing ideas as much as possible. There is no point in following others.

It always seems different each time. Some days I feel very excited and joyful, while on other days, my thoughts come to a halt and it's painful.

I couldn't be happier. I feel joyful, fulfilled, and extremely happy.

The effort to resolve the details thoroughly without stopping midway is what makes a design successful.

he most important things are how complete and detailed the design is and whether it brings something new that didn't exist before.

Is there really a responsibility? Designers don't necessarily have to present something new to the public. They just need to continue designing without compromising.

It's a meaningless question.

My last exhibition was in Seoul last year. For my next exhibition, I want to try it in a very rough environment at a construction site.

My design inspiration will continue to come from music, movies, and street culture in the future.

I live in Seoul, South Korea. Seoul is an incredibly vibrant city, with new things constantly emerging and disappearing at a rapid pace. I recommend that designers from around the world live in Seoul at least once.

Architects are among the people who collaborate the most. Collaboration is always enjoyable and generates new ideas.

It is difficult to propose to a company first. If you develop your own style, the company will contact you first for collaboration.

I simply take out and use the thoughts I've stored in my mind one by one.

turntable, desk, speaker, book, dvd

It's very simple. Reading books, watching movies, taking walks, listening to music, and designing—this is my daily routine.

Listen to music, watch movies, and exercise.

The positive aspect is the happiness you feel when a design comes to life. The negative aspect is the constant pressure to create something new.

The intuitive feeling is the most important.

Persistent and continuous work.

Pencil, notebook, and computer.

I use eight hours every day regularly.

The actual time spent on pure design is quite short. However, the follow-up work to implement it takes 2-3 months.

How on earth did you come up with this?

Building a structure on your own.

Individual and company.

Trying and doing things you haven't done before.

I want to keep doing this work I love sustainably for a long time.

I do all the design work by myself.

I am working on architecture combined with music and AI.

I have nothing more to say.