SCAAA, founded in Los Angeles by the Korean American architect and real estate investor Steven Song, is most philosophically aligned with two powerhouses of twentieth-century architecture —Denise Scott Brown and the late Robert Venturi, who in 1972 published the book, Learning from Las Vegas, which studied the city in its urban form.  The husband-and-wife team mentored Song at the start of his architecture career, and they credit him with looking at their thesis on Modernism from a fresh perspective, then adapting and expanding on their ideas for contemporary times.

Also Read | Holt Renfrew Ogilvy dazzles as a sustainably forward luxury flagship

"The Learning part of that book's title, and the implied importance of a mindset of curiosity and a willingness to question - even challenge - conventional wisdom, spoke to me," states Song.

SCAAA's approach, which Song describes as "intentionally rigorous and inevitably all-encompassing", includes establishing and cultivating relationships, conducting extensive research, advising clients on business strategy, and problem-solving. Their design strategies and solutions address current conditions (economic, social, cultural, and contextual) while anticipating future ones; for example, the impact of the recent pandemic on urban life, the evolution of established cities and the creation of new ones.

Also Read | Shiro Kuramata’s Samba-M shines again with Ambientec at the supersalone in Milan

Since its founding in 2012, SCAAA has garnered numerous hospitality and commercial commissions in some of the most dynamic regions in the Pacific Rim and the U.S., delivering projects such as the boutique hotel, RYSE, a co-working space for creatives called BLDG BLCKS, and staff offices for Kukje Gallery—all located in Seoul, South Korea; the Philippine Stock Exchange in Manila; an office building repurposed from the former headquarters of the Los Angeles Rams National Football League (NFL) team; the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on Dallas Market Center's 100-acre campus; and the U.S. prototype for TOUS les JOURS, a bakery café franchise with more than 1,650 stores worldwide. SCAAA also advises real estate owners on long-term development projects for destination resorts in California and Hawaii, and on Jeju Island, known in the tourism industry as the 'Hawaii of Korea'.

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

Photo credit: Courtesy of SCAAA

SCAAA's goal is to leave something better than they found it, for their clients, their client's customers, and their communities. As Song observes, "Our clients partner with us to find their light bulb moment."

Also Read: How to Design a Perfect Kitchen