In grade 8, May Lee Birks was voted most likely to be an architect – a consensus delivered by her classmates, who saw her obsession with miniatures of homes as more than a hobby. Years later, May Lee would go on to complete her B.Sc in Architecture at McGill University and her Master of Architecture at Cornell, where she was awarded the AIA Henry Adams medal and the Eschweiler Prize for distinction in design studio. After internships at the New York offices of SOM and COOKFOX, she relocated to the city full time upon graduating and later joined the team at Workshop/APD. To May Lee, successful design is often subtle to perceive: flawless details, intuitive finishes, and a thoughtful manipulation of light.
