"City on Pause: Toronto During the Pandemic" Print

Born in Seoul, Korea, Don Lee has always been deeply immersed in art and design. Now based in Canada, he leads Lee Associates Architects Corp. while continuing to explore his artistic vision. His work blends his love for painting with architectural expertise, capturing the vibrancy of city life and human-built environments. Don primarily works with acrylic on canvas, valuing its versatility and efficiency. His artistic journey began in childhood, earning multiple awards in painting competitions. Even after pursuing architecture at Hongik University, he continued refining his artistic skills through fine arts courses. His notable early accolades include: • Excellence Award at the National Museum of Korea Drawing Competition • Repeated Excellence Awards at the Gyeongbokgung Palace Sketch Competition Expanding into architectural design, Don won major competitions such as: • Jinju Train Station Design Competition (Excellence Award) • Imjingak Train Station Design Competition (Winning Entry) • Yonsei University Wonju Campus Student Welfare Center Design Competition (Excellence Award) Don is a registered architect in both Korea and Canada, making him the only architect actively holding certifications in both countries. He is a member of The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). His architectural background informs his artistic practice, blending structured design principles with expressive cityscapes. After immigrating to Canada, he spent over a decade designing large-scale hospitals before founding his own firm in 2013. During the pandemic, he revisited painting, capturing the dynamic energy of urban life on canvas. His art now reflects a deep appreciation for the city’s rhythm and the spaces people inhabit.