Jonathan Dessi-Olive

Jonathan received a Master of Science in Design and Computation (SMARCHS) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a professional Master of Architecture from The University of Pennsylvania, and a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Minnesota. His work takes a critical approach to technology while integrating the history and theory of Architecture, contemporary construction, and computational design.

Jonathan's motivation is to help designers and builders learn to design more intuitively, systematically, and visually. He firmly believes making is inseparable from design and his research efforts have focused on developing design and construction tactics for high-performance, sustainable building technologies. His on-going projects include developing: computational design methodologies for architectural acoustics, large-scale deployable structures using inflatable compression members in tensegrity geometries, constructing monolithic structures with emerging bio-materials such as mycelium, and new methodologies for designing and building thin-shell vault structures in the United States, Europe, and East Africa. Jonathan’s research has been published through the International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS), the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA), the Symposium for Simulation in Architecture and Urban Design (SimAUD) and the Conference for Nonconventional Materials and Technologies (NOCMAT). His design and construction work has been exhibited in public venues such as the Venice Architecture Biennale and TEDxPenn.