14 Facts About Roger Lee

Roger Lee was a Chinese-American modernist architect who designed more than 100 houses and other projects in Northern California, Nevada, and Hawaii.

Roger Lee has been referred to as an architect who "designed high style for the middle class," and is today considered one of "the forgotten mid-century modernist" architects.

Roger Lee was regarded as one of the most brainy architect of his times because of his unconventional modernist way of designs.

Roger Lee grew up with the ideals of European modernism, writes architecture author Dave Weinstein, "that architecture should be functional, unadorned and elegant and make a difference in the lives of everyday people,".

Roger Lee received his bachelor's degree in Arts and Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 1941 with top design honors.

Roger Lee was noted for the "grace and clarity" of his residential designs which made him one of the foremost proponents of the Bay Region Style after World War II.

Roger Lee received a number of awards and honors including "America's Best Small Houses, 1949" for his own Berkeley residence; an Award of Merit in the American Institute of Architects Honor Awards Program, 1955 for the George Channing residence in Sausalito; and First Honor award in the AIA "Homes for Better Living Program, 1956" for the William Wilkinson House in Orinda.

Roger Lee helped develop the "Second Bay Area Tradition" of mid-century modernism, incorporating open plans, glass walls, and attention to nature.

Roger Lee's houses are considered easy to identify, generally having a flat roof, inconspicuous front door and glass walls.

Roger Lee's designs resembled the modern homes of Joseph Eichler, with post-and-beam construction, concrete slab foundations, radiant floor heating, and an "open" plan.

Roger Lee's name was often mentioned alongside other leading modern architects of the time, including Richard Neutra, and William Wurster, both of whom worked in Northern California.

Roger Lee designed a unique home style which became known as the "Moduflex" house, based on standardized parts to keep costs down.

Roger Lee was a family man, having met his wife in Hawaii during World War II.

Roger Lee enjoyed sports cars and summer vacations with his family to Yosemite or Oregon, and loved to fish when he had time.