Alvin Huang, AIA is the Founder and Design Principal of Synthesis Design + Architecture, an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, and the Director of Graduate & Post-professional Architecture at the USC School of Architecture. He is an award-winning architect, designer, and educator specializing in the integrated application of material performance, emergent design technologies, and digital fabrication in contemporary architectural practice. His work spans all scales ranging from hi-rise towers and mixed-use developments to temporary pavilions and bespoke furnishings.
His work has been published and exhibited widely and has gained international recognition with over 30 distinctions at local, national, and international levels including being honored as the Presidential Emerging Practice of the Year by the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter in 2016, being selected of as one of 50 global innovators under the age of 50 by Images Publishing in 2015, being featured as a "Next Progressive" by Architect Magazine in 2014, and being named one of Time Magazine's 20 Best Inventors of 2013. He has been an invited critic, guest lecturer, and keynote speaker at various institutions in the US, Canada, Mexico, Chile, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Japan and China.
Alvin received a Master of Architecture and Urbanism from the Architectural Association Design Research Laboratory (2004) in London and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California (1998) in Los Angeles.
Alvin's Professional Blog on Archinect:
University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, Director of Graduate & Post-Professional Architecture
University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, US, Associate Professor
University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, US, Assistant Professor
Architectural Association School of Architecture (AA), London, GB, MArch, Graduate Design Research Laboratory
University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, US, BArch, School of Architecture
ACADIA Digital Practice Award of Excellence, Award
This award recognizes creative design work that advances the discipline of architecture through the development and use of digital media.
AIA|LA Presidential Community Contribution Award, Award
This year’s Community Contribution recipient demonstrated unique ways that architecture can serve the region, and practitioners’ commitment to their neighbors. As the scope of COVID-19 became clear, USC Architecture Operation PPE galvanized hundreds of architects to print pseudo-N95 masks and other devices in support of the medical community. The initiative was led by Alvin Huang, AIA, who, almost overnight, created a manufacturing entity, connected three USC schools, and oversaw production and distribution.
A+D Museum Design Awards - Still on Paper Award, Award
This category is open to any type of project that is currently in the works. Submissions range from conceptual design through all disciplines and not yet built or fabricated. The concept behind the category comes from the museum’s appreciation of design as a process.
