Lee Jae Architects + Aires Mateus win the Dasa Complex Community Center

DATE

30.03.2026


The architect Jae Lee, a member of the 2017–2018 MArch Valencia cohort, has been awarded first prize in an international competition in Daegu (South Korea) for the design of the Dasa Complex Community Center. The project has been developed in collaboration with the Aires Mateus studio, consolidating a trajectory that connects academic training with professional practice within an international context.

This achievement originates from a relationship that began during his time at MArch, when Jae Lee had the opportunity to meet Manuel Aires Mateus. That initial contact, established within the academic environment of Espai Alfaro, later evolved into a professional collaboration that has culminated in this recognition. The process reflects how direct engagement with leading architects can become a real opportunity for professional development.

The proposal for the Dasa Complex Community Center combines formal precision and conceptual clarity, characteristics that define the work of Aires Mateus. The architecture is conceived as an exercise in synthesis, where volume, light, and the relationship with the urban context structure the project. A distinctive feature is its sloped green roof, which emerges as an urban garden, while the building itself is designed as a civic space capable of accommodating multiple activities and becoming a reference point within the city.

Jae Lee’s participation in this process highlights the ability of young architects to integrate into international working environments and actively contribute to large-scale projects. His role within the team reflects a continuity between academic training and professional application, demonstrating how learning can be directly translated into the development of real projects.

This case exemplifies the value of MArch Valencia as a platform for connection with the professional world. Beyond academic training, the program provides access to an international network of architects and studios, where opportunities arise through direct contact and collaboration. Jae Lee’s trajectory illustrates how these relationships can lead to tangible projects with real impact within the discipline.


MARCH VALENCIA | ARQUITECTURA Y DISEÑO

MArch Valencia. Arquitectura y Diseño

© 2026 MArch Valencia. Arquitectura y Diseño
Privacy policy | Cookies policy | Terms of use