Bio
The focus of Alex’s research is the relationship between energy systems and design within architecture. With an interest in the relationship between form and performance his work explores reasoning within open systems, contingent material processes, and recursive design techniques. Currently, Alex’s research works on two material streams, wood and concrete. In his work on concrete, he is exploring precast pervious concrete systems to cool buildings through evaporation. In his work on wood, Alex is partnering with urban foresters to source and analysis the carbon foot print of salvaged urban wood. This work is being explored as part of the Marcus Prize Studio installation in the Historic Mitchel Street Neighborhood. Alex’s work can be found in various academic journals and conference proceedings such as ACSA, NCBDS, TAD Journal. Additionally, Alex is the curator for the SARUPgallery located in the Marcus Commons of the architecture building.
Alex serves on a number of campus and regional committees. For example, Alex is one of the higher education representatives on the DNR Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council. Alex serves on the utilization committee of this council.
Alex received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan. He holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard University where he received with the John E Thayer Award and the Alpha Rho Chi Medal. Prior to joining the faculty at UWM, Alex was one of the two inaugural Irving Innovation Fellows at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. While a fellow he worked to deepen the link between the studio pedagogy and the fabrication lab, exploring ways in which digital fabrication can provide productive feedback loops within the design studio. Alex has also worked for firms and architects such as PLY Architecture, Abalos+Sentkiewicz Arquitectos, Kiel Moe, Christian Kerez, and Jennifer Bonner while specializing in design and fabrication.
Education
BS in Architecture, University of Michigan TCAUP
Master of Architecture, Harvard University GSD
Research
Fabrication
Energy + Material Systems
Thermal Comfort
Open Systems
Logical Reasoning
CREDENTIALS
Living Future Accredited
LEED Green Associate
Courses
Architecture 100 – Architectural Making 1
Architecture 301 – Architectural Systems 1
Architecture 310 – Fundamentals of Architectural Design 1
Architecture 420 – Architecture Design 2 (Coordinator)
Architecture 650/850 – Mass Matters
Architecture 650/850 – Marcus Prize Studio
Architecture 390/790 – Rough Cut
Architecture 390/790 – Teaching Experience Course