We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ellie Yoon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ellie below.
Alright, Ellie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I was born and raised in Korea, where I spent the first 20 years of my life dreaming of becoming an architect. My path to design was not straightforward. At first, I believed I would dedicate my life to music, playing the piano, and later I prepared to study textile design. For nearly three years I felt as though I was falling behind my peers, but that only made me more determined to work harder.
In the end I chose not to pursue textile and instead began studying architecture at a university in Korea. With the encouragement of my professors and mentors, I found the courage to dream bigger and continue my studies in the United States. Looking back, even though I was not raised in architecture, I see my years in music, art, and textile as a foundation. Each of those experiences taught me discipline, creativity, and sensitivity, which today come together in the way I approach design. Nothing I learned was wasted; every step became part of the process of becoming who I am now.
When I moved to the United States, I graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago with a degree in architecture and have since built my career in the New York and New Jersey area. This year feels especially meaningful because my life is now evenly split between Korea and the United States, 20 years in each. That balance shaped my mission: to bring together different cultures, ideas, and perspectives, and to create spaces that are not only functional but also deeply meaningful.
My time in Korea shaped me with values of detail, care, and perseverance. In America I discovered individuality, creativity, and the courage to take risks. Living between these two worlds taught me that the best design is both caring and bold, both patient and innovative.
Since 2014, I have dedicated myself to design and construction, building more than eleven years of experience that bridges architecture and building. For the past six years I have carried that work forward through DKT Contractors, our design-build firm, where every project reinforces my belief that design must live beyond drawings and take form in the real world. Together with DKT I also founded KYMA Studio, a design practice inspired by the rhythm of waves, fluid, powerful, and timeless.
This mission matters to me because it reflects the journey of my own life. Design should not only create structures but also connect experiences, identities, and cultures in ways that endure and inspire.
Ellie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I grew up in Korea in a household surrounded by music. For many years, I believed I would spend my life at the piano, until my focus shifted toward art and eventually textile design. For nearly three years, I felt as though I was falling behind, but I used that feeling as fuel to push myself harder. Ultimately, I chose not to pursue textile but instead began studying architectural design at a university in Korea.
It was during that time that I met professors and mentors who encouraged me to look outward and continue my education in the United States. Their influence led me to the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, where I earned my degree in architecture. Looking back, my years in music, art, and textile were never detours, they were a foundation. Those experiences honed my creativity, discipline, and sensitivity, all of which continue to shape my approach to design today.
Since 2014, I have dedicated myself to design and construction, building more than eleven years of experience that bridges both architecture and building. For the past six years, I have carried that work forward through DKT Contractors, our design-build company, while also running KYMA Studio, my own design practice.
What makes my journey unique is this combination of influences. From Korea, I carry the values of detail, perseverance, and care. From America, I gained individuality, creativity, and the courage to take risks. From construction, I learned pragmatism and how to bring ideas to life. Together, these perspectives allow me to design spaces that are imaginative yet buildable, grounded yet bold.
At DKT we manage government, private commercial, and residential construction projects from start to finish, ensuring every detail is carried out with care. Beyond client-based work, we also take on our own development projects, including property flipping. DKT is also home to Mildo, our custom furniture brand dedicated to creating pieces that are tailored not only to the space but also to the lives of the people who use them, extending our vision of craftsmanship into furniture. At KYMA we provide comprehensive architectural services, often in partnership with DKT, with a focus on design inspired by the rhythm of waves: fluid, powerful, and timeless. Our work ranges from large-scale architecture to interiors, always with the intention of creating spaces that move people and leave a lasting impression.
What I am most proud of is that our work goes beyond simply delivering projects. Clients have told us that their identity and culture were truly reflected in the spaces we created, and for me, that is the most rewarding outcome.
What I want people to know is that my journey proves nothing is wasted. Every skill, every challenge, every change of direction, whether in music, art, textile, or construction, has shaped the way I work today. That is what sets me apart: we design and build with both discipline and imagination, creating spaces that feel authentic and enduring.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been to truly understand each client’s needs and deliver the highest quality possible within the budget they have. Many of our clients come to us with fixed budgets, and my focus is always on maximizing the value of what they receive, both in design and in the final outcome.
In residential projects, I pay particular attention to reflecting each client’s lifestyle so that the space feels personal and meaningful to them. A home should not only be functional but also carry the identity of the people who live in it.
I also believe growth has come because my work is built on relationships, not only transactions. Many clients have become good acquaintances, and some even close friends, after a project is complete. I think this happens because I dedicate not only my professional expertise but also genuine care and heart to the people I work with.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
One of the books that has most influenced my thinking is Hermann Hesse’s My Belief: Essays on Life and Art (original German title Das Leben bestehen. Krisis und Wandlung). What has stayed with me most is Hesse’s reminder that even the smallest shifts of light or fleeting moments of beauty can bring joy if we are willing to notice them. True joy, he writes, is not found in grand gestures but in the subtle details of everyday life.
This perspective has shaped the way I approach both design and management. At the end of the day, everything we create, whether it is a home, a workplace, or a gathering space, exists for people. It is people who use the spaces, share experiences within them, and feel satisfaction from them. And it is also people who design them, construct them, and bring them into being.
Hesse’s reflections remind me that respecting each person’s unique perspective, taste, and sense of beauty is essential. In my work, I strive to honor that individuality while also creating spaces that allow people to pause, to find comfort, and to reconnect with what matters most.
Ultimately, my philosophy is that all of my work and abilities, whether for clients, colleagues, family, or friends, should serve people. Just as Hesse describes life as something to be endured with joy, I see my role as creating environments that help people endure, reflect, and thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dktcon.com / www.studiokyma.com
- Other: Link to a recently awarded and iconic project:
Korean Cultural Center in New York
https://www.dezeen.com/2024/10/20/library-korean-cultural-center-new-york-studio-empathy-praxes/
