Mike Choi

I am a passionate designer and thinker who practices in interior design, architecture and urban design to become a spatial designer for a better human experience. I have 5 years of working experience as an Urban Designer at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture design firm. Prior to joining Gensler, I graduated from Harvard University (GSD) with a Master’s Degree of Architecture in Urban Design and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a Bachelor’s Degree of Architecture.

I am an interdisciplinary designer interested in solving real-world urbanization challenges for better human experience. I believe in the ability of spatial design and urbanism to promote positive change in future spaces. For that direction, I have an interest and ability to solve problems through rational design ideas and spatial analysis, and to strengthen the sustainability and equity of future space. My positions at Gensler include designing a variety of spaces, from small-scale retail store design to residential apartments and hotels to large-scale urban design projects. Major urban design projects include Campus Planning, Transportation Oriented Development (TOD), Mixed-Use Development, Retail-Center Development through Adaptive Re-use of Interior Spaces. In the project, I led design development process to various urban design projects and prepared client meetings. I also developed site analysis, diagrams, digital models, yield calculations and developed data visualization using GIS for better product story telling. I enjoy approaching spatial design at different scales and from different perspectives to create meaningful human experiences.

JPark Architects (Los Angeles, CA) 03/2024 - Current
Senior Designer
● Developed design options for apartment and retail center projects in 2d and 3d.
● Developed site analysis, 3d modeling and diagrams with various visual productions.
● Analyzed and calculated program and parking efficiencies and adjusted requirements.

Gensler (Los Angeles, CA) 03/2021 - 02/2023
Urban Designer
● Worked in the cities & urban design team and worked directly with the design principal.
● Developed design ideas for various urban design projects and prepared client meetings.
● Developed quantitative data analysis and data visualization in the research phase.
● Led site analysis, 3d modeling and diagrams with various visual productions.
● Participated in over 20 small to large-scale mixed-use development and retail-center projects.
● Participated in the Gensler Research + Innovation Awards and was in charge of GIS research.

Gensler (Chicago, IL) 04/2019 - 03/2021
Urban Designer
● Assisted with team meetings and client meetings, workshops, and other project processes. 
● Participated in over 10 large-scale mixed-use development and townhouse projects. 
● Proposed and developed design ideas and diagrams for better story-telling.
● Analyzed and calculated program efficiencies and adjusted requirements.
● Coordinated with clients and provided project reports and materials.

Samoo Architect & Engineers (Seoul, South Korea) 05/2015 - 08/2015
Architectural Designer Intern
● Prepared presentations and visual productions for client meetings.
● Developed schematic design options in 2d and 3d.
● Developed site research and case analysis.

Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) (Cambridge, MA) 08/2016 - 05/2018              
● Master of Architecture in Urban Design

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) (Providence, RI) 09/2012 - 06/2016
● Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Fine Arts

Seoul Institute of the Arts (Seoul, South Korea) 03/2004 - 02/2011
● Associate Degree in Arts (Interior Design)