In the latest episode of the Practice Disrupted podcast, I joined Evelyn Lee FAIA, NOMA, to share a deeply personal journey: how I transitioned from a 30-year career in architecture and tech to founding CKcurated, a lifestyle concierge service that blends travel, food, wine, and design into unforgettable, bespoke experiences.
This wasn’t a career pivot — it was a reinvention.
My story begins in Hong Kong and the UK, where I was originally groomed to become an engineer — part of an education system that often “streams” students into lifelong careers based more on aptitude tests than personal discovery. But when my family moved to Seattle after I finished high school, I gained something rare: the freedom to choose.
At the University of Washington, I pursued degrees in Architecture and Architectural History, followed by a Master of Architecture. A defining chapter of that academic journey was the 16 months I spent living and studying in Rome. It was there, among old buildings, long lunches, and daily passeggiata, that I truly learned how to live. La Dolce Vita is about integrating all aspects of life into being human. That sense of ease, depth, and cultural richness continues to shape everything I do today.
After graduation, I built a fulfilling career at respected design firms like NBBJ, MG2, and Mithun, before transitioning into real estate and facilities leadership roles at Meta and Amazon. The work was rigorous and rewarding. But by the age of 55, I realized that the profession I had devoted decades to no longer fit who I was becoming.
As architects, when a design isn’t working, we don’t just keep doodling, forcing a square peg into a round hole. We iterate. We rethink. And sometimes, we scrap it and start again.
So why don’t we give ourselves the same freedom when it comes to our careers?
Evelyn summed it up perfectly:
“Clarence Kwan said it best:‘When things aren’t working out, you either iterate… or scrap it and start again.’He didn’t abandon design. He applied it to his own life.”
That’s exactly what I did. I let go of a career that no longer served me and began designing something new: a life centered around what I truly love — travel, food, wine, interior design, and most of all, storytelling and sharing with others.
CKcurated is the natural extension of my past experiences — architectural rigor, project management, tech innovation, and a global perspective — merged with deeply personal passions. Today, I craft immersive, hyper-personalized experiences for clients who value meaningful luxury and cultural connection.
Whether it’s an exclusive wine weekend in California, a ramen-making class in Japan, or a design-focused journey through Rome, each adventure is approached with the same level of intention I once brought to buildings — only now, the “structure” I design is sipped, tasted, and felt.
My conversation with Evelyn explored the courage it takes to embrace change, the value of self-awareness, and the continual growth that comes with building a solo venture. For anyone questioning their current path, here’s what I’ve learned: you’re not stuck. You can redesign your life, just like we design projects in iterations.
“If we believe every project deserves thoughtful design,” Evelyn asks,“why not our own career path?”
As I continue to grow CKcurated, I’m driven by a desire to help others connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them. My story isn’t just about stepping away from architecture — it’s about redefining what it means to be a designer. It’s about creating a life that is not only intentional, but also joyful.
Listen to the full episode of Practice Disrupted HERE
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