Founded and led by Yunhee Choe, our architecture and urban design practice is based in New York City, Japan, and Korea, significantly impacting human health and well-being, and contributing to positive societal change.

Healthy Built Environments

We believe architecture encompasses everything, including aspects of medicine. Just as the human body and architecture share the need for well-designed structures that counteract gravity, we see architecture plays a crucial role in supporting and correcting the body. Through our approach, we create spaces that promote physical health by encouraging active living, ensuring access to clean air and water, and facilitating exercise and rehabilitation.

Architecture as Philosophy

We view architecture as a profound language that shapes the narrative of life. Similar to filmmaking, we believe architecture serves as a medium through which individuals can craft their own stories, with space providing the backdrop. Our practice is dedicated to crafting spaces that resonate with and enrich the distinctive narratives of every individual.

Community Development

We acknowledge the crucial role of architecture in shaping the built environment, ranging from individual structures to entire neighborhoods and cities. Through collaboration with communities and stakeholders in the design process, we craft spaces that align with local values, address community needs, and foster social equity and economic development.

Yunhee Choe
Intl. Assoc. AIA, LEED AP

Yunhee Choe is renowned for infusing her architectural creations with a blend of philosophical and medical perspectives. With over 20 years of experience, she excels at creating designs that uniquely engage users and has demonstrated success leading diverse teams through large, rigorous, and complex international projects. Her work includes architecture, furniture, painting, as well as writing and film. 

After working for GS Group, she founded YC in 2007, specializing in residential architecture tailored to the needs of high-profile clients. She secured TV series, including her own shows Hello, Tokyo and Houses for a Wealthy Life, along with magazine features and a multitude of collaborations. In 2019, she expanded her firm from Tokyo and Seoul to New York, where she continues to lead her eponymous firm.

She published Vorstellung and Croissant, books that encapsulating a fresh interpretation of space and her philosophy. As part of her ongoing sustainability efforts, she recently exhibited Hiut furniture and lighting made from Kenaf at Chicago City Hall and beyond.

She founded the non-profit organization IAAH, embodying a positive movement to promote health and contribute to changing the world for the better through architecture.

We have a diverse team of talented international architects, designers, and partners, all committed to creating healthier spaces, fostering human development, and contributing to a better world. Our journey entails continuous learning, research, experimentation, and innovation.

We are actively seeking interns, designers, and experienced project leaders to join our team and collaborate closely on innovative projects spanning various scales and typologies. Candidates for these positions are deeply passionate about creative problem-solving, effective design communication, and possess a worldwide perspective. Join us on our journey in architecture and urban design.