THE FIRM
MCYIA is an award-winning interior architecture and interior design firm. Founded in 2004 by acclaimed interior designer Chuen Yee, the company is known for design excellence and a belief that the quality of our surroundings- where we eat, sleep, work, or, play has a direct influence on the quality of our lives. By maximizing air and light and designing a home or space that embraces architecture, the result is a built environment that feels good and, as a result, improves health and well-being.
Our design team listens carefully to understand your objectives and goals in order to successfully create an environment that is attractive, unique, stylish, comfortable, functional, and sustainable. Equally important is our commitment to partnering with you to achieve excellence and satisfaction while completing your project on schedule and within budget.
Depending on the needs of individual clients, MCYIA has long-standing relationships with numerous highly talented architects, engineers, designers, consultants, vendors, and construction contractors to provide a full range of services. Uncommon to most design firms, MCYIA also has in-house real estate development and construction expertise to be called upon as needed.
PRINCIPAL
CHUEN YEE
INTERIOR DESIGNER, ASID
Despite her lofty achievements, interior designer Chuen Yee remains grounded and, above all, genuine. Humility and a lack of pretension infuse her stylistically varied work. It must be my Thai roots," jokes the Bangkok-born designer.
Born in Bangkok, Chuen spent her early years in Honolulu while her mother completed a Ph.D. at the University of Hawaii. Chuen’s distinctive sensibility developed at a very young age. “I always wanted to improve things,” she says with a laugh, recalling an early memory of peering out of her bed to examine the floor of her bedroom.
Completing high school a year early, Chuen enrolled in the Architecture degree program at Chulalongkorn University, the most prestigious university in Thailand. Graduating valedictorian, Chuen worked as an Interior Architect and Designer for a large international design firm. She completed a number of award-winning hospitality projects throughout Asia.
Under a Fulbright Scholarship, Chuen returned to the US to study at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where she completed a Masters of Interior Architecture. At RISD, Chuen became the first two-time winner of the Graduate Excellence Award, bestowed upon the top design student in the school.
Back in Bangkok, Chuen opened a design studio. Working long hours 7 days a week, Chuen and her team of 10 completed hospitality and residential projects throughout Thailand. Over time, the business grew to include a Honolulu, San Francisco, and New York office with Chuen spending most of her time in NYC. There’s just nothing better than being surrounded by the excitement and energy of the city,” she says.
Preparing for motherhood, Chuen chose to consolidate to just the Honolulu office which she runs with the help of her husband who was born and raised in Hawaii.
Chuen Yee’s interiors defy quick categorization. They are neither strictly traditional nor strictly modern: what they are is intelligent, inspired, and passionate; a fresh mix of sophisticated colors, textures, and shapes. “You can respect the rules but also make your own,” she says.
Numerous honors have been awarded to Chuen, some of which include Top Restaurant Design Thailand and 1st Place House of the Future (US) and ASID Design Excellence awards in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Chuen frequently lectures at universities, participates in numerous design juries, and provides free interior design services to select non-profit organizations.
MANAGING PARTNER
MICHAEL YEE
As Managing Partner, Michael is responsible for the strategic direction of the company and overall management of the firm. He also provides Real Estate Development and Construction consultation for clients and projects as needed.
Over the past 25 years, Michael has built a successful track record of managing over three billion dollars of residential, office, hotel, restaurants, retail and mixed-use development in New York, California, and Hawaii.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Michael started St. Louis School in the 9th grade. During his senior year, Michael served as Student Body President and earned a Navy ROTC college scholarship. Michael served two military tours as a Naval Officer at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam: NAVFAC (Naval Facilities Engineering Command) Pacific Assistant Resident Officer in Charge of Construction and Director of Facilities & Staff Civil Engineer for the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Pearl Harbor.
After 5 years of military service, Michael started his career in Real Estate Development working as a Senior Acquisitions and Project Manager for the homebuilder D.R. Horton in the San Francisco Bay Area before getting married and working as the Director of Acquisitions and Entitlements for LCOR in New York City. Returning home in 2008, Michael started working for The Walt Disney Company as their Project Manager for Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa. Prior to joining his wife Chuen at MCYIA, Michael was the Director of Development for The Howard Hughes Corporation, overseeing various Hawaii projects including the One Ala Moana condominium project at Ala Moana Center and Ward Village AEO condominium with Whole Foods Market.
Education
Stanford University
Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering
(Construction Engineering and Management program)
University of Hawaii
MBA
University of Michigan
Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering
(Construction Engineering and Management program)
Volunteer
Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii Finance Council, Director (advisor to Bishop Larry Silva)
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 3 Scoutmaster
Previously, St. Louis School, Board of Trustee
Previously, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Director and 1st Vice-President