Dr. John Ochsendorf

Professor

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Biography

John Ochsendorf is a Class of 1942 Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he has been a faculty member since 2002. He has received training from prestigious institutions, including Cornell University, Princeton University, and the University of Cambridge. His creative research explores the intersection of structural engineering and architecture, focusing on sustainability within the built environment. Ochsendorf has led students in notable design projects, including the Mapungubwe Interpretive Centre and the Sean Collier Memorial, as well as several exhibits at the Venice Biennale Architecture in 2016. He served as the Director of the American Academy in Rome from 2017 to 2020 and is the founding director of the MIT Morningside Academy of Design established in 2022. Throughout his career, he has been awarded a Fulbright fellowship to Spain in 2000, the Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome in 2007, and a MacArthur Fellowship in 2008. In recognition of his exceptional teaching, he became a MacVicar Fellow in 2014 and received the Gordon Y. Billard Award for exceptional service in 2016. His research interests include mechanics of structural behavior in historical masonry, reuse of structural materials, low-carbon materials, and structural form-finding techniques.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2002-01-01 — Present

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA

Faculty member focusing on structural engineering and architecture.

Director

2017-01-01 — 2020-01-01

American Academy in Rome • Rome, Italy

Led the American Academy during this period.

Founding Director

2022-01-01 — Present

MIT Morningside Academy of Design • Cambridge, MA

Established the interdisciplinary hub focused on design.

Awards

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Fulbright Fellowship

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Rome Prize

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MacArthur Fellowship

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MacVicar Fellow

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Gordon Y. Billard Award