David Lee, AIA, NCARB

Principal Architect

LOCATION: California

Group of colleagues standing on a pedestrian bridge overlooking a river.

Connecting with GFT colleagues at the 2026 American Association of Airport Executives Rental Car Industry & Airports Workshop.

Group of professionals standing together in a conference room posing for a picture.

Building leadership and strategic thinking skills through GFT’s leadership training program.

Evening view of an airport terminal roadway with light trails from passing vehicles, a parking garage, and enclosed pedestrian bridge.

As deputy project manager for the $135 million San Antonio on CONRAC, I supported stakeholder coordination and helped advance a complex, high-visibility airport project.

Man and woman standing in front of a colorful classroom teaching young students about architecture and engineering.

Sharing what I do with second-grade students through the Community Resources for Science program and seeing their curiosity take off.

Family standing together along a river with a yellow bridge in the background.

Time with my wife of 25 years and our daughter keeps everything in perspective.

Man and woman posing for a picture in front of the famous five-story Yasaka Pagoda in Japan.

Travel continues to shape how I think about design, especially when experiencing new cultures with my family.

A smiling man takes a selfie with Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, creator of the Carcassonne board game.

After years of competing in Carcassonne tournaments, I attended the World Championship and had the chance to meet the game’s creator, Klaus-Jürgen Wrede.

A Conversation With David:

What first sparked your interest in architecture?

What inspired you to join GFT, and what makes you stay?

How do you hope your work will impact the communities that you serve?

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Can you share any volunteer activities you’re involved in and what they mean to you?

How do you like to spend time outside of work?

What’s a fun fact about you that your colleagues may not know?

What first sparked your interest in architecture?

I grew up in a dense neighborhood in Hong Kong and then moved to a quiet San Francisco suburb as a teenager. The contrast made it clear how architecture shapes how we live, move, and feel. That realization drew me to the field, especially the balance of creativity and problem-solving and the opportunity to turn ideas into tangible spaces that serve people.

What inspired you to join GFT, and what makes you stay?

When I joined GFT, I was drawn to the firm’s collaborative culture and thoughtful design approach. It felt like a place where I could grow and contribute in meaningful ways. One of my early projects was working on the construction documents for the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC) in 2003, which opened the door to continued involvement on other airport CONRAC projects. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work on CONRAC facilities at airports including San Jose, Chicago, San Antonio, and Los Angeles. These projects (learn more) have shaped my career and deepened my expertise in complex transportation environments, which is a big part of why I’ve stayed.

How do you hope your work will impact the communities that you serve?

I hope my work creates spaces that make everyday experiences more intuitive, efficient, and welcoming. In major transportation hubs, thoughtful design can simplify movement, save time, and reduce stress. If a space helps people move more easily and feel more at ease, then it’s doing its job.

“David Lee brings curiosity, technical depth, and a strong sense of purpose to his work. His leadership on complex transportation projects has helped shape seamless, intuitive travel experiences for communities across the country. Just as important, he invests in others, mentoring with intention and strengthening our culture for the future.”

Huzefa Irfani, AIA
Director of Architecture

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Great mentors have shaped my career, and their best advice still guides me: never assume you already have all the answers. Taking the time to ask questions and do the research makes a big difference. To me, architecture is about curiosity, collaboration, and designing spaces for everyone.

Can you share any volunteer activities you’re involved in and what they mean to you?

Giving back to the community is important to me, especially because mentors played such a key role in my career. I enjoy mentoring architecture students and young professionals as they explore the field.

I’ve also had the opportunity to volunteer with the Community Resources for Science (CRS), where I bring hands-on learning into the classroom. Introducing students to architecture and engineering and seeing their curiosity has been especially rewarding.

How do you like to spend time outside of work?

Spending time with my family helps me recharge and stay grounded. My wife and I also love to travel, and we try to visit a new destination each year. Experiencing different places and cultures continues to shape how I see the world.

What’s a fun fact about you that your colleagues may not know?

I’m a competitive Carcassonne board game player and have competed against top players in international online tournaments. In 2024, I traveled to Germany to watch the Carcassonne World Championship, where I met the game’s creator, Klaus‑Jürgen Wrede!

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This Employee Spotlight was originally published on May 1, 2026.