Lee was noted for the "grace and clarity" of his residential designs which made him one of the foremost proponents of the Bay Region Style after World War II.

During the course of his California practice he designed nearly 100 residences, and a small number of apartments, housing projects, recreational facilities, and churches.

[6] Lee helped develop the "Second Bay Area Tradition" of mid-century modernism, incorporating open plans, glass walls, and attention to nature.

[7] His houses are considered easy to identify, generally having a flat roof, inconspicuous front door and glass walls.

The homes are usually long and low, have no decoration other than "lovely rhythms created by structural elements, ceiling beams and decking, and a strong Asian influence," notes landscape architect Ted Osmundson.

"[7] As a result, Lee is considered one of "the Bay Area's great forgotten architects," notes Waverly Lowell, curator of UC Berkeley's Environmental Design Archives.

[3] Lee's designs resembled the modern homes of Joseph Eichler, with post-and-beam construction, concrete slab foundations, radiant floor heating, and an "open" plan.

His name was often mentioned alongside other leading modern architects of the time, including Richard Neutra, and William Wurster, both of whom also worked in Northern California.

[7] Lee also designed a unique home style which became known as the "Moduflex" house, based on standardized parts to keep costs down.