Our Team
Dong Kim Partner, Architect, San Francisco Studio Chair AIA, LEED AP San FranciscoOakland

Dong is an architect with a focus on improving our world through thoughtful design practices.  A partner in DIALOG’s San Francisco studio, he is an integral part of Northern California’s design community. Dong believes that design must directly respond to challenges, and he responds to the complex ones his work addresses with simple, elegant, and meaningful design solutions. Dong also believes that design professionals have the responsibility to improve our communities, the environment, and the world through inclusive dialogue. To advance this qualitative aspiration, he continues his pursuit of design through building science. Dong has taught architecture and 3D modeling courses at Chabot College and researches the latest technological advancements and innovations. He applies his interest in quantitative design implementation that results in measurable attributes through his public and institutional project developments in California and beyond.

Dong enjoys contributing to the community through design and beyond.  He collaborated pro bono with Better SF to generate a feasibility and vision study of modular homeless shelter design. Dong has served the design community as a past board member of the American Institute of Architect East Bay chapter. He is also a board member of Kiwanis of Oakland’s scholarship foundation, which awards scholarships to Oakland high school seniors.

What’s one quote you live by?
Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated. – Paul Rand

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration through trying something, and not liking it; bluntly put, failing at it. It inspires me to do better the next time.

What’s your favourite way to give back to the community?
I am a part of various community organizations including a board where we award college scholarships to disadvantaged local high school students. But most importantly I truly enjoy getting to know the community in which our projects are based in, and designing places where we can all be proud of.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Architecture
University of California, Berkeley

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