The 50th-anniversary colloquium series brings back a diverse group of alumni from across the globe who graduated from various degree programs in the School of Architecture during the past 50 years, to share the inspirational work they do today. These online events celebrate their diverse achievements and bring forward critical visions and design work both in and at the periphery of the architectural profession. The series demonstrates the growing influence of the SoA community and how these individuals are shaping alternative practices in the profession and the discipline. All lectures will take place at 12:30 p.m. EST via Zoom.
Michael Sims is currently working as a Lead Designer with Zaha Hadid Architects in London where he has spent the last decade. He has worked on a variety of projects primarily involved in the design and realisation of geometrically complex facade system. After graduating from the UNC Charlotte College of Architecture he went on to SCI-Arc where he earned a Master’s Degree in Architecture. During this period Michael mentored with Lebbeus Woods, attending and teaching workshops with him throughout Europe and Central America. Whilst at SCI-Arc he collaborated with Tom Wiscombe and worked in the office of Coop-Himmelblau under Wolf Prix.
Following his graduation he was hired by Frank Gehry and worked on an number of projects including New York By Gehry, a 76-storey residential building in Lower Manhattan and the New World Symphony in Miami – a training academy for aspiring symphony orchestra musicians. During this time, he advanced interests in parametric design software and honed skills around digital fabrication techniques. Before landing at ZHA, Michael lent his expertise to Skidmore Owens and Merrill and UN Studio managing the delivery of complex geometry buildings using Digital Project – an early BIM tool developed by Gehry Technologies atop Dessault Systems CATIA platform – a robust 3D modeling and PLM software prevalent in aerospace and automotive industries.
Michael's work at Zaha Hadid Architects includes 520 West 28th Street, a 39-unit residential building on the New York City's Highline, the Nanjing International Youth Cultrual Centre, Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre, Navi Mumbai International Airport, OPPO Headquarters in Shenzhen, the Henderson in Hong Kong, the Rabat Grand Theatre and several others. By using software to fluidly link design concepts to digital production strategies, Michael has long been a proponent of ‘parametric’ processes and workflows that make the realisation of design complexity in architecture efficient, cost effective, commonplace and personalised. He feels that diversity in form, process and practice are essential in designing culture, our habitable spaces and the everyday environments in which we interact.