We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tsun Yi Lam. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tsun Yi below.
Tsun Yi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
My pursuit of architecture didn’t begin with a single, defining moment. It was assembled subtlety in the background. Growing up in Hong Kong, the city constantly impressed itself upon me through robust, everyday moments: the hectic construction of modern skyscrapers juxtaposing the neo-classical nostalgia, with a handful of traditional Chinese temples squeezed between rugged concrete buildings. One image I still return to is bamboo scaffolding—lightweight, seemingly fragile, yet strong enough to wrap an entire building. At the time, I didn’t think of any of these as architecture. I was just observing, occasionally doodling, trying to replicate what I saw with blocks, and letting the city leave its imprint on me.
I began to consider pursuing architecture as a career through my design studio experience in college. I enrolled in my first studio rather fortuitously, through some vague memories of my ‘adventures’ in Hong Kong, simply trying to understand what I was looking at and how things came together. I enjoyed the creative exploration and hands-on approach to problem solving. It was deeply rewarding to witness a concept came to realization as a tangible reality through the meticulous balance of aesthetic intent and functional requirement of the space. I began also to appreciate and understand the impact architecture can make to its surrounding and its responsibility as the steward of the built environment. As architect, it gives me extreme privilege to leave a lasting imprint on the environment we all live in.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am Tsun Yi (Anthony) Lam, a registered architect based in New York City. I am currently a Senior Designer at Meier Partners. Recent projects include an office headquarter in South Korea, residential development in Hawaii and hospitality project in Spain. Prior to Meier Partners, I have gained experience in Japan, Hong Kong and China. I earned a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley and Master of Architecture from Princeton University in 2022. Originally from Hong Kong, and having studied and worked across multiple cities, I approach each new project as a perpetual explorer, eager to explore uncharted territories with a global perspective and interdisciplinary approach.
I consider each project as a unique plot to narrate a story to its participants with regard to the history, culture and experiences of the context by the experimentation of form, materiality and novel technologies through architecture. Through my work, I examine how architecture can be used as a medium to provoke new identity in its local context and address pressing spatial, social and environmental issues by daring to challenge the norm, rather than accepting the impose solutions. Besides working within the traditional boundary of architecture, I am also interested with work across media, art form and space, challenging the common perception of architecture.
My work has been awarded Third Prize by the ASA International Design Competition, Honorable Mention by the Architecture Masterprize and showcased on ArchDaily and Princeton SoA, and exhibited at the ASA Expo in Thailand.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
When I first started as a designer, Paul Tange, President of Tange Associates, once shared with me an important wisdom: “Architecture is art with social responsibility.” “Artists can redo an artwork if they don’t like it, but once a building is being built, it stays in place and there is no escape from it.” As architect, we feel the urge to design for the first impression — to create a striking image, something ‘different’. But beyond that initial impact, architecture has to have a strong narrative.
I’m driven by the idea that architecture can be a powerful tool in addressing pressing social and environmental issues. Every project is a unique plot to tell a story. Whether it’s a response to the history, culture, or the needs of its context or users, the narrative gives architecture depth, which transcends the building with identity and resonance as oppose to a mere image. While many art forms are created to be observed or interpreted, architecture is designed to be inhabited, it has responsibility. At the core of my design is a desire to design with purpose and clarity and I want my work to have a meaningful impact beyond aesthetics.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
As an emerging professional, I’ve found that navigating career decisions and entrepreneurship can sometimes feel a bit daunting, especially when it comes to knowing where to turn for advice or even just finding a platform to connect and express our concerns. That’s why I strongly suggest taking advantage of the opportunities that AIA or local organizations offer, from mentorship programs to networking events.
I am currently a mentee for the AIA Torch Mentorship program. Having the direct connection with AIANY and one-to-one guidance from FAIA members, offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from seasoned professionals who have extensive experience navigating design, leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation. Having access to experienced architects who are open to sharing what helped them, including the resources they wish they’d known earlier, makes a huge difference. Whether it’s a personal experience, or a mindset shift, those insights are often hard to find at school, but they can be pivotal for someone just starting out.
Having benefitted from my teachers and mentors, I wish to one day become a mentor myself. It offers me the chance to give back to the architectural community by facilitating a constant dialogue between emerging designers and seasoned professionals and bringing new ideas to the table to forge a more inclusive and responsive community. I wish to work with other professionals who aim to make a lasting impact on the future generations, and to ensure that the next generation of architects feels heard, supported and empowered to lead.
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