Ph.D. (Architecture) – University of California, Berkeley (2012)
S.M.Arch.S. – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2005)
Arquitecto – Universidad del Valle, Colombia (1998)

Interdisciplinarity is a central aspect of my work, since I rely upon social theory and action practice for my research, practice, and also my teaching of architecture.

My classes explore different interdisciplinary perspectives through seminars, studios, and field courses. Although architecture is the theme that structures the class discussions, these classes are fully accessible and open to students from any field. A typical class of mine enrolls students from majors as varied as Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, or Psychology. The contribution by this diverse body of students is crucial because they often find innovative ways to think about architectural problems in light of perspectives from their own field. For everybody in the class, including myself, this is an extraordinary learning opportunity.

Presently, I am teaching Sustainable Design: Principles, Practice, Critique, a seminar that offers a theoretical basis for a critical engagement with the notion of sustainability in the architectural design field. Additionally, I teach Architectural Anthropology, a seminar that explores the emerging interdisciplinary field that combines the theory and practice of architecture and anthropology. I also teach Housing, Urbanization, and Development, a seminar devoted to exploring the theory, policy, and practice of low-income housing in marginalized communities worldwide, and the role of architects in this practice.

In addition to the courses above, I teach courses that introduce students to the field of architecture. The Language of Architecture is an introduction to architecture’s dealings in both theory and practice, while Urban Sketching and Learning from Metropolis are devoted to exploring visual and narrative representations of ideas in this field.