activity
Listed in reverse chronological order, below are relevant actions taken by INFRA-X members in pursuit of the lab mission. This chronology begins on October 01, 2008.
march 22, 2025
Moderator: “Digital Technology: The Algorithm,” ACSA 113th Annual Meeting, New Orleans LA
Chris moderated a Paper Session on the role of the algorithm as found in architectural education and architectural practice. Presenting authors were (in order of presentation) Mark Stanley at the University of Tennessee, Nate Imai at the University of San Francisco, and Lee Huang at Lawrence Technical University.
December 13, 2024
Design Reviewer: Design Thesis Seminar, M.Arch, UC-Berkeley CED
Chris joined end-of-semester reviews for UC-Berkeley Master of Architecture students pursuing a Design Thesis in their final year. Work presented was generated during ARCH204A: “Final Thesis Seminar,” a 3 unit course in the Fall semester, and will be developed further through a 6 unit studio in the Spring semester. The Fall 2024 seminar was co-taught by Mark Anderson, Maria Alvarez Garcia, James Leng, Tomas McKay Alliende, and M. Paz Gutierrez (Coordinator).
June 16, 2024
PhD Hooding : School of Engineering, Stanford University
Chris graduated in December 2023 with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD Minor in Civil & Environmental Engineering. In June 2024, he was hooded by PhD primary advisor and Kumagai Professor of Engineering Martin Fischer, PhD.
May 08, 2024
Invited Presentation: "Enhancing the Resilience of Next-Generation Infrastructure Design"
Chris spoke about recent research with James Ehrlich (founder of ReGen Villages) during a webinar for the 2024 "Embracing Our Emergency" Forum, a program offered by the Liminal Institute. Other speakers included Jane Fonda, Marianne Williamson, and Michael E. Mann.
April 27, 2024
Design Reviewer: "The Territorial City," CCA Architecture
Chris joined end-of-semester reviews for the design studio of Neeraj Bhatia titled "The Territorial City." This design studio acknowledges the in-process development of California High Speed Rail (CAHSR) and explores how minimally required infrastructure ought to be designed in an elevated way to more equitably distribute resources at the community scale.
november 18, 2023
Paper: "Designing for Resilience: Pedagogical Models for Engaging Infrastructural Design Problems with a User-Centric Mindset"
Chris wrote and presented a paper documenting Master of Architecture student workflows for designing next-generation infrastructure with resilient, and hybridized design features. This paper was for the 2023 ASCE Inspire conference in Arlington VA, and is published in its proceedings.
november 18, 2023
Panelist: "3 Pathways for Future-Proofing Next Generation Lifeline Systems"
As part of his service on the ASCE IRD Emerging Technologies Committee (ETC), Chris spoke about three evidence-based design pathways for increasing lifeline resilience. Other panelists included other ETC members at the 2023 ASCE Inspire conference held in Arlington, VA.
june 01, 2023
Invited Panelist: "Resilient Infrastructure Futures"
For this annual workshop hosted by the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, Chris was an invited panelist for discussing the opportunity for Resilience as a feature of the built environment from an architectural perspective. Other panelists included Rene Rammazzo and Siobhan Rockcastle.
may 24, 2023
PhD Defense: "Resilient Infrastructure Futures: An Aetiological Analysis of Lifeline Infrastructure System Failures since 2000 for Enhancing the Resilience of Next-Generation Infrastructure Design"
Chris successfully defended his PhD investigation focused on the construction of an aetiology ("error taxonomy") of threats and hazards responsible for operational failures to lifeline infrastructure systems observed this 21st century. The defense consisted of a 45 minute public presentation, a 15 minute public Q & A, and was followed by a closed door session for questions by the Exam Committee. The Exam Committee consisted of Martin Fischer (Primary Advisor), Sean Follmer (Co-Advisor), Ade Mabogunje (Reader), Michael Shanks (Reader), and Jenny Suckale (Exam Chair).
march 31, 2023
Moderator: "TAD Journal: Demystifying the Peer Review Process," ACSA 111th Annual Meeting, St Louis MO
In his outgoing responsibility as an editorial board member of Technology | Architecture + Design, Chris co-moderated an information session focused upon the journal's peer review process, and as told through the experiences of four recent author teams. The articles from these teams were from either TAD: Engineering (Chris Ford, Issue Editor) or TAD: Tectonics (Anne-Catrin Schultz, Issue Editor).
November 21, 2022
Editorial: "Architecting"
As Issue Editor for TAD: Engineering, Chris authored an editorial titled "Architecting" which explains the editorial intent of the issue, introduces the invited contributions, and shares his developing perspectives on those larger disciplines with a shared responsibility for shaping the built environment.
November 21, 2022
Call for Papers: TAD Engineering
Chris served as Issue Editor for the Technology | Architecture + Design (TAD Journal) issue titled "Engineering" (6:2). This Call for Papers was developed by the Editorial Team responsible for delivering the issue.
October 17, 2022
Design Reviewer: "Lignin and Lining," Master of Advanced Architectural Design (MAAD), UC-Berkeley CED
Chris was an invited reviewer for the "Lignin and Lining" MAAD studio of M. Paz Gutierrez at the UC-Berkeley CED. This studio acknowledges plant microbial protection mechanisms, and investigates if/how the incorporation of bacteria and fungi in plant tissue can lead to new features of architectural materials including including detoxification, water management, and energy generation. This particular review was hosted by Paul Woolford in the San Francisco office of HOK.
May 19, 2022
Moderator: "Empowering Doctoral Degree Programs," ACSA 110th Annual Meeting, Los Angeles CA
Chris organized and moderated a Special Focus Session on the range of doctoral degree programs found within the ACSA membership. Panelists included Federica Goffi, Neil Leach, Vivian Loftness, and Barry Wylan. This session was co-moderated with Marc Neveu.
March 24, 2022
Paper: "What is Design? The Semantic Core and Periphery of Design Definitions"
This paper examines the semantics among diverse definitions for Design in an interest to identify a semantic core among collected, published definitions. The research provides evidence that there is a diverse understanding and usage of the term Design. However, shared word groups inherent in the definitions provide a family resemblance or bundles of inter-predictable attributes for a shared comprehension of Design. While design practices differ across diverse disciplines, the fundamental human capacity of productive thinking which determines a purposeful and meaningful (end) design (means) is shared among diverse professional disciplinary action. This Design Thinking Research Symposium 13 (DTRS13) paper was co-authored by Jan Auernhammer (First Author) and Chris Ford (Last Author).
November 03, 2021
Editorial: "Reflections on Five Years of TAD"
This editorial in TAD: Intelligence (5:2) was co-authored by the full editorial board, and cites early impacts of the TAD journal since its 2017 launch. Focused on the formal processes of knowledge creation in the field of building technology, the journal’s founders aimed to position TAD as the central platform for disseminating architectural research while illuminating its diverse, interdisciplinary, and collaborative natures.
October 08, 2021
Moderator: "Emerging Technologies for Infrastructure Resilience," Committee on Technical Advancement, ASCE
During the COVID-19 shutdown, the national ASCE convention "Engineering > Leading > Innovating" was delivered as a series of webinar sessions. This session highlighted recent work and insights from members of the ASCE Infrastructure Resilience Division's Emerging Technologies Committee. Chris co-moderated this session with ZhiQiang Chen.
June 14, 2021
Invited Presentation: "ReGen Villages: Future-Proofing Residential Communities Through Integrated Regenerative Systems"
This web-based presentation was delivered with James Ehrlich (founder of ReGen Villages), who is a co-author of two whitepapers on opportunities and elements of regenerative design. The session was part of the 2021 European Healthcare Conference organized by Architects for Health and the Salus Global Knowledge Exchange.
April 06, 2021
Moderator: "Expanding the View into Post-Professional Degree Programs," ACSA 109th Annual Meeting, St Louis MO
Chris organized and moderated a Special Focus Session on the diverse range of post-professional degree programs found within architecture education. Panelists included M. Elen Deming, Jeremy Ficca, Mehlika Inanici, and Fernando L. Lara. This session was co-moderated with Marc Neveu.
November 28, 2020
Paper: "System Fail: A Review of The Systems Approach as a Decision Making Method for Lifeline Infrastructure Systems"
This paper reviews the Systems Approach as the prevailing decision-making method responsible for shaping the majority of infrastructure in the United States today. However, a legacy effect of past systems-centric infrastructural action is one that entrains the majority of infrastructural planning, design, engineering and construction now challenged by complexities of the 21st century. Through problem-oriented inquiry, this paper: 1) identifies a bias towards the system as a solution type when designing urban infrastructure; 2) explains the systems approach as a thought model and process for decision-making; 3) asserts people-centered mindsets will be essential for designing next-generation infrastructure appropriate for 21st century urban futures. Chris (First Author) co-authored this version of the paper with Jan Auernhammer (Last Author) for presentation and publication in the proceedings of "Imaginable Futures: Design Thinking, and the Scientific Method. 54th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2020 (ANZAScA).
October 28, 2020
Lab Talk: "Some Introductions Required: Stanford CDR, Design-X, & Urban Futures"
Chris was invited to give a Lab Talk as part of the Fall 2020 WeLL seminar series in the Center for the Built Environment (CBE) at UC-Berkeley.
May 09, 2019
Invited Panelist: “Hybridized Infrastructures”
As part of his service on the ASCE IRD Emerging Technologies Committee, Chris spoke about the design of new infrastructure types with multi-functional, or hybridized, generative features. The panel was part of the Infrastructure Resilience Division Research Forum titled "Enabling Resilient and Sustainable Communities" held at ASCE headquarters in Reston, VA.
March 29, 2019
Moderator: "Current Research in the TAD Journal: Author Panel," ACSA 107th Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh PA
Chris co-moderated an information session about the journal's editorial trajectory through the experiences of recent peer-review and invited author teams. Panelists included Mary Hardin, Kathy Velikov, Geoff Thun, Marshall Prado, and Amber Bartosh. The articles by these teams were published in either TAD: Measured (Clare Olsen, Issue Editor) or TAD: Urbanizing (Chris Ford, Issue Editor).
March 26, 2019
Editorial: "Processing"
As Issue Editor for TAD: Urbanizing (3:1), Chris authored an editorial titled "Processing" which frames the editorial content of the issue as a collection of manuscripts that advance urban technology discourse. He cites that the human race is motivated by both a biological need for mediating between ourselves and the natural environment, and by experienced agency for shaping inhabitable environments that are feasible, viable, and desirable for urban dwelling.
March 26, 2019
Call for Papers: TAD Urbanizing
Chris served as Issue Editor for the Technology | Architecture + Design (TAD Journal) issue titled Urbanizing (3:1). This Call for Papers was developed by the Editorial Team responsible for delivering the issue.
February 05, 2019
Panelist: Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship (SIGF), Information Session
Chris spoke as a panelist at an information session for graduate students interested in an upcoming application cycle for Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowships (SIGF), sponsored through the Office of the Vice Provost of Graduate Education at Stanford University.
November 29, 2018
Editorial: "Nürburgring-ing"
As Associate Editor for TAD: Measured (2:2), Chris authored an editorial titled "Nürburgring-ing" which cites recent world events to frame the helpful role of quantitative metrics for measuring architecture performance, especially when used in conjunction with well-practiced qualitative tactics more pervasive in architectural production.
November 01, 2018
Invited Presentation: "Disciplinary Methodologies: Design, Architecture & Engineering"
As part of their "Design Conversation" series, Chris spoke in the office of HGA Architects (San Jose, CA) about observable differences and similarities between Design and Engineering, as well as current work in the Stanford Center for Design Research.
April 02, 2018
Editorial: "Searching"
As Associate Editor for TAD: Open (2:1), Chris authored an editorial titled "Searching" which addresses a call by architect Raphael Viñoly to recalibrate the discipline of architecture as “something with extraordinary responsibility." He asserts the best tactic for claiming this responsibility is furthering a shared culture of research in architecture with PhD degree programs as the primary drivers of original research, similar to other professional disciplines such as Medicine, Engineering, and Law. This editorial also introduces invited content within TAD: Open.
November 28, 2017
Editorial: "Actualizing"
As Associate Editor for TAD: Simulations (1:2), Chris authored an editorial titled "Actualizing" which identifies the various ends to which simulations in Architecture are most helpful. A review of the invited content in TAD: Simulations suggests each pathway possesses intrinsically varied levels of fidelity helpful for supporting back-end architectural operations, and include Representing, Modeling, and Prototyping.
September 01, 2017
News Article: “Richard Meier’s First Bridge,” Architectural Record
Authored by Deborah Snoonian Glenn, this article in Architectural Record presents the Cittadella Bridge (“Ponte Meier” in Alessandria, Italy) project which became operational on October 23, 2016. Chris worked as a member of the project's schematic design team while employed in the New York office of Richard Meier & Partners (now Meier Partners). [Image: Hufton+Crow]
May 01, 2017
Editorial: "Begetting"
As the inaugural Associate Editor for TAD: Viral (1:1), Chris authored an editorial titled "Begetting" which underscores the shaping of our built environment is the result of multiple disciplines’ engagement and their respective discourses. Within architecture, however, contemporary discourse is disproportionate to the grand challenges of our time, and one explanation is a lack of a larger shared research culture. In the long term, engaging both basic and applied research with conviction and enthusiasm is likely our best course, and the development of any shared research culture will require mobilization as individuals, as schools, and as a membership organization (ACSA).
May 01, 2017
Editorial: "Why TAD?"
This editorial in TAD: Viral (1:2) was co-authored by six founding editors. Seeing an opportunity for expanding peer-review capacity, the launch of Technology | Architecture + Design (TAD Journal) marks the first new scholarly journal within the ACSA community in (70) years. As an enterprise, TAD is dedicated to the advancement of original research in the field of building technology, with a focus on the impact, translation, and integration. TAD solicits, captures, and shares new knowledge in how technology is thought about, made, and used within AECO sectors. Chris is one of TAD's six co-founders, and also served as its inaugural Associate Editor for its first four issues.
March 24, 2017
Panelist: "Prospective Author Session for the Journal of Technology | Architecture + Design," ACSA 105th Annual Meeting, Detroit MI
At the 105th ACSA Annual Meeting in Detroit MI, Chris was a panelist along with other co-founding editors of Technology | Architecture + Design (TAD Journal). This session introduced the TAD editorial board to its ACSA readership, and also featured two contributing authors from its forthcoming premier issue TAD: Viral (1:1).
March 17, 2017
Invited Lecture: "The Composite Drawing in Architectural Representation"
Chris was invited to Florida A&M University to give a closing lecture and conduct deskcrits during "On Composition," the theme of the 2017 Architecture Week hosted by the FAMU School of Architecture and Engineering Technology.
March 07, 2017
Lab Talk: “The Infrastructure Problem & The Architect”
Chris visited the Berkeley Institute of Design at UC-Berkeley, and gave a lab talk about on-going research into the architect's ability and suitability for engaging infrastructure design problems.
February 08, 2017
Episode Guest: Think Tech Hawaii: “Human(e) Architecture” w/ Martin Despang
Chris spoke on camera about on-going research into infrastructure design problems with Professor Martin Despang at the University of Hawaii for his public access television show "Human(e) Architecture." The episode was broadcast in the State of Hawaii and is available on YouTube.
October 30, 2016
Invited Lecturer: “The Difference between Science & Design”
Chris was an invited lecturer at the national AIAS Research Symposium held at Stanford University. He spoke about the respective angle of approach to Design as found in the Stanford Mechanical Engineering Design Group, and how it is different from approaches found at other institutions.
October 23, 2016
Project: Cittadella Bridge (Ponte Meier), Alessandria Italy
The Cittadella Bridge (known locally as "Ponte Meier") opened on this day in Alessandria Italy. This design replaces a structurally-unfit masonry bridge constructed during the Napoleonic era. The new single arch supports a hybridized pedestrian & vehicular bridgedeck with a clear span over the Tanaro River. The final chronology of the project includes many stops and restarts, and Chris worked professionally on this project from 1998-1999 as part of the second schematic design team within Richard Meier & Partners (now MeierPartners). [Image: Hufton+Crow]
August 26, 2016
Grant & Award: Hamamoto Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship (SIGF), Stanford University
Chris was awarded a three-year Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship (SIGF) sponsored through the Office of the Vice Provost of Graduate Education to support his PhD investigation. This particular 2016-2019 fellowship was sponsored by the Hamamoto family.
November 10, 2015
Invited Lecturer: “The Infrastructure Problem & The Architect”
Chris was invited by Professor Yung Ho Chang to contribute to a symposium titled “Infrastructure Architecture” at the College of Architecture + Urban Planning at Tongji University (Shanghai CN), where he also joined studio reviews. Other contributors included Michael Bell and Harrison Fraker.
September 23, 2013
PhD student: Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
Chris enrolled as a PhD student in the Mechanical Engineering (ME) Design Group at Stanford University. Chris advanced to PhD Candidate after passing ME qualifying exams at the end of his first academic year. In 2015, Chris decided to resign as a tenured Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Nebraska to complete his PhD investigation in-residence, and as a contributor within the Design-X lab (Center for Design Research) of Professor Larry Leifer. Chris also pursued a PhD Minor in Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE).
January 07, 2013
Faculty Coordinator: "LONDON | 2013" program
For over fifty years running, the UNL College of Architecture offers ARCH, IDES, & LARC students an in-College study abroad opportunity in London each Spring semester. The longevity of the program speaks to the instrumental role that travel plays in one’s design education. As the largest metropolitan city in Europe, London is the optimum metropolitan urban condition from which to make original observations regarding the synthesis of art, design, and engineering in the shaping of cities. This Spring 2013 semester was pedagogically balanced between field observation and the generation of new creative content in the theme of "Privatized Urban Infrastructures." Beyond course requirements, student work was exhibited for one week at the university student center, and phenomenology-based short films remain available on Vimeo. Chris served as Faculty Coordinator for the SPR 2013 semester that included a two month stay with students in-residence in London.
January 01, 2013
Journal Article: "REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures"
The REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures investigation was published as a journal article in EAR Journal #33: Edinburgh Architectural Research Journal. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh UK, Jan 01, 2013. p129-145.
December 04, 2012
Invited Lecturer: “REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures”
Chris was invited to lecture on recent funded research and join end-of-semester design studio reviews at the School of Architecture, University of Hawai’i at Manoa.
August 18, 2012
Invited Presentation: “A Community Conversation”
Chris presented the REI design research investigation at the Lincoln Energy Plan 2012 event hosted by the Office of the Mayor (City of Lincoln, NE) and the UNL Public Policy Center.
March 04, 2012
Paper: "REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures"
The REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures investigation was presented and published in the proceedings of Digital Aptitudes + Other Openings, ACSA 100th Annual Meeting, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston MA. ISBN: 978-0-935502-81-7. March 2012. p336-346.
October 27, 2011
Invited Panelist: “The Future of Architecture & Design Education”
As a panelist, Chris presented the REI design research investigation at the annual statewide meeting of AIA Nebraska.
May 01, 2011
Final Report: "REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures"
In fulfillment of grant requirements for the 2009 AIA Upjohn Research Initiative, a Final Report for the REIs investigation was uploaded and made available through the AIA's BRIK: Building Research Information Knowledgebase.
March 07, 2010
Poster: "REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures"
Early REI design work was presented as a research poster at the ACSA 98th Annual Meeting, Tulane University.
January 01, 2010
Grant: "REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures"
The REIs investigation received an Energy Research Grant (Cycle 4) from the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research. This funding helps to support a team including four Research Assistants.
January 01, 2010
Award: WPA 2.0, "Urban-ConAgra-Culture"
The Design Thesis work of Dale Luebbert (Master of Architecture, University of Nebraska) titled "Urban-ConAgra-Culture" was selected as a Student Finalist in the WPA 2.0 competition. The WPA 2.0 program was curated by Linda C. Samuels and the UCLA CityLab. Chris served as Advisor for the project.
October 30, 2009
Grant & Award: "REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures"
The REIs investigation received a 2009 AIA Upjohn Research Initiative grant from the national chapter of the American Institute for Architects (AIA). This national funding helps to support a team including four Research Assistants.
October 09, 2009
Award & Exhibit: 2009 Monsters of Design
The in-development REIs design research investigation received a 2009 Monster of Design award. The award ceremony was held at the Foundation Architectural Reclamation with an associative exhibit. Monsters of Design is organized by Kansas City’s Young Architect’s Forum (YAF) and the Industrial Design Society of America Kansas City Chapter (IDSA-KC). The award ceremony and reception were attended by Chris Ford, Krissy Harbert, and Ryan Henrickson.
October 01, 2008
Professorship: "Steward Professor IN Sustainable Design"
As a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Architecture, Chris Ford was awarded a two-year endowed professorship that provided seed funding for the REIs: Renewable Energy Infrastructures investigation. This 2008-2010 professorship was the first recognition and economic support for the REI proposal. The namesake and donor for this two year professorship is W. Cecil Steward, the founding Dean of the College of Architecture at the University of Nebraska.