Bronx (New York, N.Y.), Laundries--New York (State)--Long Island--History--20th century., Cultural pluralism--America., Chinatown (New York, N.Y.), Architecture., City University of New York. City College, Identity (Philosophical concept)
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2015.048.017 The Family Journey of William Louie

This interview follows the life and career of William Louie, an esteemed Chinese-American architect heading Kohn Pederson Fox Associates, a leading global urban architectural firm originally based in New York. A native of the city, he grew up between his family laundry in Southern Bronx and the Lee family association in Chinatown, during which he attended both public school and Chinese school from a young age. He went on to train at the Institute of Design and Construction, where he was recruited into an architectural firm as a draftsman, and met the group of esteemed fellows who would then found KPF several years later. Now a design architect, he has directed projects all over the world, from his hometown of New York, to Hong Kong, and to Brazil. Bill has spearheaded KPF entry into the Asia market, which as of today, totals 50% of the firm’s revenue. While he stays humble, attributing much of his success to his parents and his wife encouragement, Bill has made tremendous contributions to the urban architectural landscapes of major cities across the globe.