About me

My name is Blake Lee, and I am the creator
and instructor of Impactful Architectural
Design. I believe architecture should go
beyond appearance and serve as a force for
solving problems and improving lives.

My Story

From the very beginning, my interest in architecture was never about flashy aesthetics or superfluous design choices. I was drawn to the deeper purpose of design — its ability to serve communities, respond to cultural traditions, and address urgent global challenges.

A turning point came when I worked on housing projects with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, as well as through my own invention, the S.M.A.R.T. Unit, a provisionally patented housing solution for homelessness. These experiences showed me that design can restore dignity and stability while tackling real-world issues.

I wanted younger students to have the kind of exposure I had early on — the chance to see architecture not only as an art, but as a discipline grounded in responsibility, empathy, and sustainability.

Credentials and Experience

  • Research & Presentations: Presented work on sustainable modular housing at the SPACE International Conference in London.

  • Awards: Recipient of multiple Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for architectural design.

  • Service Work: Hands-on experience with Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, Covenant House, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Homeless Health Initiative.

  • Innovation: Patented the S.M.A.R.T. Unit, a scalable and sustainable housing solution.

  • Programs & Training: Participant in the Global Solutions Lab, Drexel’s Discovering Architecture and Civil Architecture & Environmental Engineering programs, and Cooper Union’s intensive five-week summer studio.

Teaching Philosophy

I see architecture as both creative and practical. My teaching focuses on giving students tools they can use right away (sketching, drawing, and building models) while also showing how design decisions affect people, culture, and the environment. Impactful Architectural Design is meant to be accessible for beginners while still challenging students to think critically about how design can meet real-world needs.

By the end of this course, students will have built and presented their own shelter design, gaining confidence in their ability to create. More importantly, they will see that architecture is not just about making buildings, but about making a difference.