Archinect - Features

Design, Computation, and Humans: Exploring the Intersection with Onur Yüce Gün

2023-11-27T07:36:00-05:00

For Onur Yüce Gün, the study of computation is the study of the human condition itself. A mission to anchor humans at the center of AI and computational design brought Gün on an educational journey from Middle East Technical University in his native Turkey to the MIT Design and Computation Group, and a professional journey from Kohn Pedersen Fox to his current position as Director of Computational Design at the global footwear brand New Balance.

Whether foot soles or skyscrapers, Gün recognizes the power of blending the hard-won 'generalist specialist' skill of the human designer with the unprecedented power of AI and computation to unlock new scales and resolutions for us to explore, sculpt, and craft. While new waves of generative AI tools such as Midjourney and ChatGPT amplify conversations over job replacement, biases, and a loss of meaning, Gün's position is unwavering: "No matter how advanced the design tools, or how advanced the computational techniques are, the human intenti...

Ali Chen, Architect-Turned-Multidisciplinary Designer, Wants to Help You Pass the ARE

2022-05-19T08:59:00-04:00

An architecture background offers individuals skills to thrive in disciplines outside of traditional architecture roles. As evident in our Working Out of the Box series and Archinect's Interesting Jobs series, we highlight examples of how architects and design professionals use their backgrounds in different industries.

With design expertise continuously evolving, our editorial team has connected with those who have applied their architectural backgrounds to alternative career paths. One such example is multi-disciplinary designer Ali Chen. A licensed architect and visualization expert, her interests evolved into packaging design, UX/UI design, and app development.

For this exclusive interview, we connected with Chen to learn more about her multifaceted career path, her experience with architecture licensure, and the launch of her IOS app that aids in studying for the ARE called ARE Inquizition.

A Conversation With the Architect Who Is Bringing the World's Iconic Buildings to the Chessboard

2019-11-26T07:42:00-05:00

Trained architects turning their hand to product design is not a new phenomenon. In the 21st century Sam Jacob Studio is producing t-shirts and Zaha Hadid Architects are producing everything from vases to shoes, at the turn of the previous century architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh was designing clocks. It is common for architects diversify into other careers, as polymathic architecture education fosters a wide variety of skills.

Telling semiotic tales with Laurel Broughton of WELCOMEPROJECTS

2016-04-07T09:07:00-04:00

Designer Laurel Broughton is serious about playfulness in WELCOMEPROJECTS, a multi-disciplinary studio she established in Los Angeles in 2012. Since then, her studio has worked on a variety of art installations, interiors, and a growing collection of thematic sartorial accessories called WELCOMECOMPANIONS. Regardless of the project type, they’re all imbued with Broughton’s own surrealistic sense of whimsical flair that has captured the attention of designers, artists, and fashionistas alike.

Working out of the Box: Scout Regalia

2013-09-12T12:00:00-04:00

Working out of the Box is a series of features presenting architects who have applied their architecture backgrounds to alternative career paths.

In this installment, we're talking with Makoto Mizutani and Benjamin Luddy, founders of LA-based product design studio Scout Regalia.

Are you an architect working out of the box? Do you know of someone that has changed careers and has an interesting story to share? If you would like to suggest an (ex-)architect, please send us a message.

Working out of the Box: Airi Isoda, Architect-turned-Fashion Designer

2012-12-12T17:39:00-05:00

Working out of the Box is a series of features presenting architects who have applied their architecture backgrounds to alternative career paths.

Working out of the Box: Igor Siddiqui, Architect-turned-Product Designer

2011-07-01T13:03:47-04:00

Working out of the Box is a series of features presenting architects who have applied their architecture backgrounds to alternative career paths.