Jaime Rivera is an architectural designer currently working in Los Angeles, California. His work speculates on fictional narratives of architecture where architectural tropes are re-imagined in alternate realities. Abnormal forms, graphic design sensibilities, and digital interchange are key elements within the work that challenge the aesthetic of contemporary culture and engage disciplinary issues. Jaime received his Masters of Architecture from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and holds a Bachelors of Arts in Architecture from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He has professional experience in exhibition design, urban design development, mission critical design, and higher education design. His work has been featured in multiple platforms, including the A+D Museum, EDRA45 New Orleans, suckerPUNCHdaily, SUPERARCHITECTS, arch out loud, CLOUDZ WATCHING, and others.
CannonDesign, Los Angeles, CA, US, Designer
Currently working on the Higher Education sector at CannonDesign.
Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects, Ann Arbor, Intern Architect
Worked through design development up to construction administration of two one million square feet mission critical projects. My main tasks involved direct design development with the design director and principal; which later led me to presenting interior and exterior design concepts to the client. I shifted from designing in Rhino to documentation of the set in Revit. Other of my tasks included detailing, coordination with other disciplines, contacting manufacturers, site visits, and exploration into virtual reality representation.
SIFT Studio + EADO, Ann Arbor, MI, US, Designer
Rivera, Jaime. Another Rock. Austin, Texas: SIFT Studio & EADO. Designer. Winning Entry for The Secret Life of Buildings Competition.
Worked primarily on the digital design of the object that will be exhibited at the “Secret Life of Buildings” symposium in October 2016. The design focused on careful manipulation of geometry to shape contours at specific instances. Photogrammetry elements were brought in as a starting point in the object that later turned into guides for the completion of the final piece. Another Rock embodies an approach to authorship and materiality that indicates a new model
for architectural production. ‘Object design | Fabrication development strategies’
SIFT Studio, Ann Arbor, MI, US, Graduate Research Assistant
Rivera, Jaime. TAP. Ann Arbor, Michigan: SIFT Studio & Matt Kenyon, 2016. Graduate Research Assistant. Exhibition for 2016 Research Through Making.
Assisted in the 3D photogrammetry of ceramic objects for the project as trackable digital media. The scans were then used to generate 2D graphic renders that served as a counter to the analog artifacts of the exhibition. As a graduate research assistant I also assisted in the exhibition set-up. During the summer of 2016 I was involved in the final resubmittal of the project’s printed article for “ACADIA 2016 | Post Human Frontiers: Data, Designers, and Cognitive Machines,” where I produced more graphic content.
VolumeOne Design Studio, Detroit, MI, US, Architectural Intern
Rivera, Jaime. Chaohu Economic Zone Urban Development. Detroit, Michigan: VolumeOne Design Studio LLC, 2015. Architectural Intern. Competition Entry,
For the competition entry I became the primary designer on the project, where I worked directly with the firm’s principals. The first series of investigations included the 90.2 masterplan massing for the city of Chaohu, China. As the project progressed my main tasks became the design of feature architecture for the project, which included a music hall and a visitor center. For these entities floor plan design, elevation, and program requirements guided the overall development. Parametric tools aided in the production of variable façade designs. Throughout the design process I provided test renders of materials, which served for communication purposes for renderers in China. Lastly, I was involved in the production of graphic diagrams and material research for the final booklet submittal for the clients.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US, MArch, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, US, BArch, UNM School of Architecture and Planning
suckerPUNCH Daily Feature, Other
Rivera, Jaime. “Synthetic Machines.” suckerPUNCH daily. May 2016. Web
SUPERARCHITECTS Feature, Other
Rivera, Jaime. “Synthetic Machines.” SUPERARCHITECTS. April 2016. Web.
arch out loud Feature, Other
Rivera, Jaime. “Synthetic Machines.” arch out loud. March 2016. Web.
James William Kideney Scholarship, Scholarship
Rivera, Jaime. James William Kideney Scholarship (2014-2016). Ann Arbor, Michigan. University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
EDRA45 Building with Change Conference Entry, Other
Rivera, Jaime, Kristen Gandy, and Alex Webb. “The Morphogenesis of Resiliency.” EDRA45 Building with Change. New Orleans, Louisiana: Conference of the Environmental Design Research Association. May 28-31, 2014. Poster.
Collaborative design poster for Assistant Professor Alex Webb’s written entry to EDRA45. The submission looked at climate disruption and the use of nanotechnology for design development. Parametric investigations translated the micro processes into deployable prototypes.
Kosanovich Award, 2nd Place
Rivera, Jaime. Kosanovich Award (2012). Albuquerque, New Mexico. University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning.
UNM Bridge Scholarship, Scholarship
Rivera, Jaime. UNM Bridge Scholarship (2009). Albuquerque, New Mexico. University of New Mexico.
Norman McDonald Scholarship, Scholarship
Rivera, Jaime. Norman McDonald Scholarship (2009). Belen, New Mexico. Norman McDonald.
Dean's List, Other
Rivera, Jaime. Dean’s List (2009-2013). Albuquerque, New Mexico. University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning.
New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, Scholarship
Rivera, Jaime. New Mexico Lottery Scholarship (2009-2013). Albuquerque, New Mexico. University of New Mexico.
