Mark Rukamathu, AIA, NCARB, is a licensed architect in Massachusetts. His practice experiences include Marlon Blackwell Architects(2020 AIA Gold Medal Recipient), Merge Architects, William Rawn Associates, ADD Inc. (now Stantec), Spann Architecture, and his own practice, RUKA Design.
In addition to his work in architecture practice, Mark serves as Teaching Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder's Environmental Design Program. Prior to this, he served as Faculty and Director of Special Projects at the Boston Architectural College (BAC) and was an adjunct instructor at Northeastern University, Roger Williams University, Rhode Island School of Design, and spent three years as a full-time faculty and first-year coordinator at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mark's design and architectural interests include representation and fabrication through digital, manual, and hybridized processes. He is also dedicated to the study of design and architectural practice to advance and evolve the profession toward a more diverse, just, and equitable space for all. In support of this, he is actively involved and servers various past/present roles within professional design organizations -- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Center for Practice Advisory Member (former co-chair), Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) Honors and Award Committee Member, BSA Rotch Travel Scholarship Committee Member, BSA Board of Directors 2020-2021, BSA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Member 2020, National Council for Architectural Registration Board (NCARB) Scholar in Professional Practice 2022, and as a NCARB Architect Licensing Advisor.
As a half-Thai, half-American, he grew up in a multi-cultural environment across the U.S. East Coast, Bangkok Thailand, and Arkansas. Mark's architectural journey started with drafting classes in high school, entering higher education at Northwest Arkansas Community College, receiving his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arkansas cum laude, and Master of Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design with distinction.
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, US, Associate Teaching Professor
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, Career Discovery Summer Program - Architecture Instructor
Led a group of 10 students in a 6 week design studio.
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, Wood Shop TA
Part-time work study position at Harvard Graduate School of Design's Fabrication Lab. Monitored and assisted student with fabrication projects.
William Rawn Associates, Boston, MA, US, Summer Internship (while attending Graduate School)
A 50+ person office. Worked primarily on pre-design/site planning for a large hospital building/campus project. Worked closely with the office’s principles on the project’s design and strategies. Prepared materials for weekly meetings with clients and consultants.
In addition, coordinated the making of a physical model for a RFP presentation and assisted in the final push for a 90% construction document set.
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, TH, Full-Time Faculty / First Year Coordinator
Teaching Courses and Responsibilities:
First year
Year Coordinator (fall 2009-spring 2011)
Oversee and manage the 1st year’s curriculum and courses. Coordinate class scheduling and events. In charge of recruitment and hiring of 1st year faculty.
Course Coordinator/Instructor
Manage and design of course content, organization and scheduling.
• Design Studio I and II (fall 2008-spring 2011)
• Design Tools Skills I and II (fall 2008-spring 2011)
• INDA/NABAItalySummerProgram(summer2010)
Second year
Studio instructor, Assist course coordinator with design of the studio projects.
• Design III and Arch Design I (fall 2008-spring 2011)
• Design Build (summer 2009)
• Construction Technology (spring 2009)
Forth year
Design IV option studio (fall 2010)
• Led a studio of 9 students in the design of high-rise
structures in Bangkok, Thailand. Focus of studio included: development of realistic real-estate model, challenging the norm of the financial model via creative program types/organization, manipulation of financial model and program via parametric software (rhino/grasshopper).
Administrative/Additional Responsibilities
• Publications Editor: Annual Newsletter and Student Year Book
• Overseedepartmentgraphics/publicationdesign
• Manage redesign of website in 2008
• Student work digital archiving manager
• Assisted in 1st curriculum revision 2010
*Fluent in the Thai language (speak/read/write)
Marlon Blackwell Architects, Fayetteville, AR, US, Project Coordinator
A 6-8 persons office. Worked on various project types including residential, commercial and institutional. Assisted in all phases of project development. The following is a selected list of primary project involvement:
Indianapolis Museum of Art - Visitor’s Pavilion
Assisted in managing design development pricing drawings and presentation model. Responsible for material research, detailing and drawing coordination with consultants. Assisted in value engineering to to get the project in budget.
Porch Dog - Hurricane Katrina Victims House
Created perspective computer rendering of project. Assisted in completing construction documents. Primarily responsible for material connection details.
Srygley Liquor/Cigar Shop
Coordinated schematic design, design development, construction document phases for a premier liquor/cigar shop. Constructed 3D model for client presentation. Managed the first phase of construction administration and reviewing of shop drawings.
Terra Springs Estate
Constructed 3D model and renderings for client presentation. Coordinated design development pricing drawings, material research and presentation model.
Don Spann Architect, Rogers, AR, US, Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator
June 2005 - February 2007
Architectural Intern
January 2003 - June 2004 Summer 2001
A 3-4 persons office. Worked on various project types including residential, commercial, industrial and educational. Involvement included schematic design, design development, construction documents and project administration both in the office and on-site. Involved in meeting with clients for discussions and presentations, project coordination with engineering consultants, bidding/ negotiation, building code research, shop drawing review/ coordination, job site meetings and working with job site superintendents as project manager during many projects construction phase. Construction managed an automotive service shop project and a new branch fire station for the city of Roger, Arkansas. Assisted in the recruitment and hiring of architectural interns.
ADD Inc., Boston, MA, US, Design Coordinator
A 100+ persons office. Worked primarily in the area of Retail Center design with a 4 persons team. Involved in schematic design, design development and construction documents. Responsibilities included drawings and renderings for client presentations, as well as developing and coordinating all documents with project consultants to assure accurate and timely delivery.
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, MArch, Master of Architecture II
• Graduated with Distinction
• James Templeton Kelly Prize 2012 for ‘Endeavourism’ in collaboration with Yarinda Bunnag
• Teaching Assistant for Prof.JorgeSilvetti - M.Arch II Proseminar Course (Fall 2012)
• Wood Shop TA (Spring 2012 - May 2013)
• Featured in GSD Platform5, p. 54-57 Endeavorism, p. 102-103 Fabricating Grounds ‘Re-Bark’ Project
• Featured in Instigations GSD075, p. 170-171 Endeavorism
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, US, BArch, Bachelor of Architecture
Graduated Cum Laude, 3.56 GPA, Minor in Physics
Honors
• Member of Tau Sigma Delta Architectural Honor Society • Award and recognitions include:
• APA Tom Cory Memorial Scholarship Award 2002
• Minority Achievement Award 1997-2002
• 5th Year Architectural Book Award 2002
• Acme Brick 2nd Place Design Award 2001
• Frank Naylor Prize 2001
• 3rd Year AIA Scholarship Award 2001
• Recipient of the William M. Evans Memorial
Scholarship Award 2000
• School of Architecture Dean’s List 1999.
James Templeton Kelly Prize, Award
This prize is offered by the Boston Society of Architects, a chapter of the AIA. Upon nomination by the faculty, it is awarded annually for the best final design project submitted by an MArch degree candidate. MArch I and MArch II students who do a thesis and receive Distinction or High Pass for their final thesis project are automatically nominated. Graduating MArch II students who do not do a thesis must be nominated by their final studio instructor.
