Dr. Marc Mcquade

Biography

Marc McQuade brings decades of experience collaborating with leading figures in architecture across a wide range of projects, geographies, typologies, and scales. In 2024, he founded Architecture Background Office (ABO), an architecture, interiors, and decorative arts firm dedicated to creating people-focused spaces. His belief is that well-conceived and responsibly built architecture provides the backdrop for positive shifts in the world, with ABO being grounded in the pursuit of buildings that are beautiful, comfortable, and productive. Prior to establishing ABO, Marc served as Associate Principal at Adjaye Associates, where he co-led the New York office and oversaw the design and execution of numerous significant projects across North America. Notable projects include 130 William, Princeton University Art Museum, Gagosian Gallery, Webster retail flagship in Los Angeles, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Marc was born in New York and raised in the Bay Area, holding dual citizenship in the United States and Switzerland. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley, spent years working with Mäder + Partner in Switzerland, and received his Master of Architecture from Princeton University School of Architecture. awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal for leadership and service. Currently, he is a Design Critic in Architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design and has taught design studios at Cornell University, Princeton University, and the University of Toronto. Additionally, he serves on design juries and public panels, and has contributed as a founding editor of Pidgin magazine and co-editor of 'Landform Building: Architecture’s New Terrain' with Stan Allen.

Research Interests