Deena Darby (she/her), Assoc. AIA, NOMA is an architectural designer and community organizer based in New York City. Committed to design justice within the built environment, her work focuses on developing design strategies and practices that prioritize community involvement and working to ensure all users are empowered and given the tools to contribute throughout the design process. She has guest reviewed, spoken, served as a research assistant, and taught widely at institutions such as Columbia, Pratt, Harvard, Ryerson, New York City College of Technology, and Syracuse. Deena currently works at Studio Fōr and teaches Architectural Design I at CUNY New York City College of Technology. She is a Core Organizer with Design as Protest, active with Dark Matter University and Design / Advocates, and a fellow with the Urban Design Forum.
Studio Fōr, New York, Designer
Engages in the design and project coordination of single-family residential, commercial, and community-based design projects from Pre-Design and Programming through final Construction. Contributes to the open design dialogue and participates with all team members to create a collaborative environment.
New York City College of Technology, New York, NY, US, Adjunct Lecturer
Co-Taught in the ARCH 1112 Architectural Design I: Foundations and Visual Studies in the Department of Architectural Technology
Hoffmann Architects + Engineers, New York, NY, US, Senior Project Representative
Produced presentation documents, proposals, and final reports that demonstrated existing and expected work. Assisted in the generation of contract documents and project manuals throughout all phases of the project. Provided construction administration and coordination with contractors to maintain project completion timeline.
POSIT, New York, NY, US, Content Manager and Co-Founder
Participated in the curation of media and general framework for POSIT, a student-run digital multi-media platform for architecture students. Gathered and organized written and digital content. Organized events in correlation with Syracuse University's School of Architecture.
Harry der Boghosian Fellowship - Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, US, Research Intern
As a Research Intern for the 2018 Harry der Bogoshian Fellow, Professor Linda Zhang, I worked with a team to create molds and slip casted iterations for the final Bogoshian Fellowship exhibition, “Beta-Real: Materiality of Loss”.
Ballinger, Philadelphia, PA, US, Architectural Intern
While at Ballinger, I created digital models of design iterations in SketchUp based on conversations and discussions in design meetings and then produced physical mockups of selected iterations for the client's review and revision. Producing the physical models consisted of creating digital scaled models of the selected iterations, 3D printing, and laser cutting the components, constructing the files, coordinating for the bases to be CNC milled, and constructing the models. In addition to this, I also worked on producing design development drawings in AutoCAD and three-dimensional site work in Rhino.
Performative Praxis Lab, Syracuse, NY, US, Research Intern
As a Research Intern, my responsibilities included developing urban design guidelines, conducting layouts for sharing economies (bike-sharing, car-sharing, etc.), and developing strategies for promoting the use of public transportation in Syracuse, NY. The outcome was in the form of short-term and long-term recommendations, including impact calculations for various sustainability measures.
This project studied the feasibility of achieving reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the City of Syracuse via interventions that are designed to increase walking and biking, shared vehicles, and the use of public transportation.
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, US, BArch, School of Architecture
Architectural and conceptual design | construction drawings | structural calculation | environmental studies | architectural history | architectural theory
Design GPA 3.4 | Cum Laude
Thesis: NEW CIVIC | Strategies for Alternative Urban Development
International Study – London, United Kingdom | Spring 2016
International Study – Florence, Italy | Fall 2016
Savannah Arts Academy, Savannah, GA, US, High School, Dance Major
Academic Honor Roll | 2009 - 2013
National Honors Society | 2010 - 2013
Nu Delta Alpha | 2011 - 2013
Historical Society | 2009 - 2011
