Mariana Ibañez is an Argentinian architect involved in practice, academia, and research. She is Associate Professor and Chair of UCLA Architecture and Urban Design, and co-founder of Ibañez Kim. Before joining UCLA, Mariana was Associate Professor at MIT and Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She is an external examiner for the Architectural Association, and is on the awards jury of the Boston Society of Architects, the MacDowell Colony, and the Rotch foundation.
As an academic and editor, Mariana’s research is in the disciplinary core of architecture and its growing periphery, with a focus on the relationship among technology, culture, and the environment. Her recent publications include Paradigms in Computing by ACTAR D, and Organization or Design, published by a + t.
Mariana has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Buenos Aires, and a Master of Architecture and Urbanism from the Architectural Association in London where she received thesis honours. Upon completing her graduate studies, she worked at the Advanced Geometry Unit at ARUP before joining Zaha Hadid Architects where she was Project Architect for the London Aquatic Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games, among other projects.
Mariana has exhibited work at the MoMA New York, the MAXXI Museum in Rome, and The National Art Museum in Beijing, with projects for the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.
Simon Kim, AIA, OAA is a registered architect in California, Massachusetts, and in Ontario, Canada. He is Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, and Director of the Immersive Kinematics Research Group. As principal of Ibañez Kim, he is interested in the integration of architecture and urbanism with active and emotive behaviors. His research brings meaningful and sensate agency into our objects, homes, and cities.
Simon has collaborated with artists, theater groups, and performers such as the Dufala Brothers, Grace Kelly Jazz, Carbon Dance Theatre, and Pig Iron Theatre. He has also curated shows at the Slought Foundation, Traction Company, and SINErgy Gallery. His work has also been exhibited at the ICA, Storefront for Art and Architecture, and MoMA New York.
Simon received his professional degree from Carleton University, and first registered as an architect while working at TSK Architects and SOM London. After completing the Master of Architecture and Urbanism graduate degree at the Architectural Association, Simon worked as a designer and project architect for Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry. At MIT he was a Research Associate working with Bill Mitchell on modular, networked energy for buildings and landscapes, and was awarded a Master of Science.
Simon has taught studios and seminars at Yale, Harvard, MIT, UCLA, University of Toronto, and the Architectural Association. He has also taught workshops at Inha University, Smart Geometry, UNLV, and the University of Calgary.
Much of the experimentation and prototyping for Ibañez Kim happens at Immersive Kinematics, our research lab. Visit our twin at www.immersivekinematics.com