Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) alumni continue to make indelible marks on the global design landscape, pioneering innovative approaches in architecture, technology, and interdisciplinary practice. Renowned for fostering radical experimentation, the institute has cultivated graduates whose work challenges traditional norms and redefines spatial possibilities. Recent achievements of its alumni underscore SCI-Arc’s pivotal role in shaping the next generation of architects and creative thinkers.
Trailblazers in Interdisciplinary Innovation
Among SCI-Arc’s distinguished alumni, several stand out for their groundbreaking work. Connor Gravelle, a 2017 Bachelor of Architecture graduate and founder of Good Project, recently earned the AIA|LA Design Award for his innovative approaches to architectural fabrication and material research. His work integrates robotic manufacturing, computational design, and emerging materials to challenge traditional construction methods, creating more efficient and adaptable building systems. Through Good Project, Gravelle explores how digital tools and automation redefine architectural production, emphasizing sustainability, accessibility, and the evolving relationship between design and technology.
Vivian Charlesworth, a 2021 Master of Fiction and Entertainment graduate and professor at Scripps College, is widely recognized for immersive installations and speculative architectural works that explore the intersection of narrative and built environments. Blending cinematic techniques with spatial design, her thought-provoking installations transport audiences to new narrative worlds. Her latest work, “As Real as the Here,” a 3 DOF nonlinear virtual reality film, imagines an alternative post-9/11 world where alternative facts and evolving belief systems transform a city’s architectural fabric and social structure. Through collaborations with artists and technologists, Charlesworth continuously redefines the interaction between architecture and visual culture.
Evelyn Tickle, a 1994 Master of Architecture graduate and founder of Crete, has redefined concrete’s role in the built environment through pioneering biophilic material technology. A recipient of the NSF SBIR grant, her research focuses on designing concrete surfaces that actively support plant and microbial growth, transforming static infrastructure into vibrant, ecologically beneficial systems. Through Crete, Tickle has developed products such as Reef Tiles, which enhance marine biodiversity, and Green Surface Panels, which enable vegetation growth on urban structures. Her work demonstrates how material innovation bridges architecture and environmental restoration, advancing more sustainable and regenerative design solutions.
Emerging Voices Across Industries
Jackson Lukas, a 2018 Master of Architecture graduate, has carved a unique path in animation production and world-building as a designer at DreamWorks, applying his architectural background to digital storytelling. His work involves creating intricate environments that balance aesthetic appeal with spatial logic, enhancing the credibility of animated worlds. Lukas credits SCI-Arc’s emphasis on experimental spirit and interdisciplinary thinking for equipping him to excel in both architecture and entertainment design. His career highlights the expanding influence of architectural training, extending from the built environment to film, gaming, and immersive media.
Runze Zhang, another 2018 Master of Architecture graduate, leads TikTok’s effect creation platform Effect House, empowering creators to push the boundaries of augmented reality (AR) through intuitive design tools. His focus on developing an accessible AR effect-building platform allows users to experiment with spatial interaction and immersive digital experiences. Zhang notes that SCI-Arc’s focus on speculative design and computational thinking shaped his approach to AR innovation. By bridging architecture and digital media, he is redefining how people engage with virtual spaces, fostering new forms of creative expression globally.
Alessio Grancini, a 2018 Master of Architecture graduate, is shaping the future of AR at Magic Leap, developing immersive experiences that merge digital content with the physical world. As a designer specializing in spatial computing, he focuses on creating intuitive AR interfaces to enhance user interaction across scenarios from workplace collaboration to creative workflows. Drawing on SCI-Arc’s emphasis on computational design and digital experimentation, Grancini addresses the evolving AR landscape. His work explores how mixed reality redefines design processes, opening new avenues for interaction between people, digital content, and physical spaces.
Aja Zarrehparvar, a 2018 Master of Architecture graduate, integrates architectural thinking into her work at Nike, combining digital design, material innovation, and functional apparel design. Her focus on integrating parametric design with advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D knitting and generative design creates products that enhance athletic mobility and adaptability. Zarrehparvar notes similarities between architecture and product design, particularly in the integration of materials, structure, and functionality. She attributes her SCI-Arc education to honing her collaborative skills and expanding her approach to creation and manufacturing, enabling her to thrive in a dynamic, team-oriented design environment.
Lena Pozdnyakova, a 2019 Master of Design Theory and Pedagogy graduate and founder of Studio Pozdnyakova, is renowned for innovative approaches to digital fabrication and material research. Her work explores how advanced computational technologies and robotic manufacturing expand the boundaries of architectural expression. Recently, she developed the “Transmedium” project, which investigates the interaction between physical and digital environments through adaptive materials and responsive design. Featured as part of the Kazakhstan Pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale, Pozdnyakova’s practice embodies SCI-Arc’s commitment to exploration, combining innovative computing with hands-on material experimentation to redefine spatial evolution and interaction.
Matthew Pugh, a 2016 Bachelor of Architecture graduate, has emerged as an innovative force in architectural visualization, creating hyper-realistic renderings and cinematic presentations that expand the boundaries of architectural storytelling. His company specializes in providing virtual reality (VR) experiences that allow clients to “step into” digital models before projects are built, revolutionizing how designers communicate spatial concepts. By integrating game engines and real-time rendering software, Pugh is at the forefront of the evolving relationship between architecture and interactive media.
As SCI-Arc continues to evolve as a hub for experimental design thinking, its alumni remain at the forefront of shaping the built environment and beyond. Their success reflects the institute’s commitment to challenging conventions, fostering curiosity, and equipping graduates with the tools to navigate and reshape the future of architecture and design. By embracing new technologies, rethinking material applications, and expanding architecture’s role in adjacent industries, SCI-Arc graduates continue to influence how we live, work, and interact with the world around us.
