Internationally honored architect divides time between MSU and Korea — by Evelyn Boswell Byoungsoo Cho, '86 Arch, originally enrolled at Montana State University because he liked the mountains, loved the landscape and enjoyed the weather. A native of Seoul, Korea, he figured he'd leave after a couple of years for a major metropolitan area like New York City or San Francisco. But time and a mentor convinced him to stay. After Cho earned his degree in architecture, he went on to earn two master's degrees at Harvard University and became an internationally-honored architect. One of his structures was declared to be among the seven most influential houses in Korea in the last 100 years. He's received other major awards in Korea, Montana and Britain, as well. "He was really one of the best design students I had ever seen," said Bob Utzinger, who was department chair when Cho was a student. Cho is back at MSU now. He returned in 1999 to teach for a year. He is currently an associate professor who spends half his time teaching in Bozeman and the other half running his architectural firm in Korea. He returns to Korea every summer, one month in the winter and usually Thanksgiving and spring breaks. Cho also brings Koreans to Bozeman and sends MSU students and faculty to Korea. This spring, for example, he took 14 MSU students on a six-week trip to show them traditional architecture in Korea and modern architecture in Japan. Living in Montana means missing out on client contact and site visits in Korea, but Cho believes he's more productive in Montana. He even appreciates the long flight that takes him from the bustle and pollution of Seoul to the cleaner and sunnier Bozeman. Cho admits he's busy, though. In fact, he's so engaged that he chooses exercises for their efficiency and watches television only when he's staying in a motel. He generally teaches at MSU until 4 p.m. and then heads to his downtown office where he might work until 1 a.m. But he expects to continue his double life for some time. He's inspired by his students, as well as the craftsmen, scenery and materials he finds in Montana. At the same time, he enjoys designing the buildings that his brother builds in Korea. Some of his current projects include a new art/architecture/music building for a university, a chapel, cultural building, and 20 luxury housing units. "It's kind of really physically difficult for me, finding the hours and reducing my sleeping hours," said Cho whose life is further complicated by the fact that his three daughters live in New Jersey with their mother. He's trying, though to take advantage of the many opportunities coming his way. "All in my family are hard workers," Cho said. "It's kind of tradition."