Dr. Sean Ahlquist

Associate Professor

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Biography

Sean Ahlquist is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan – Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where he directs the Lab for Socio-material Architectures and oversees the Master of Science in Digital Material Technologies program. His work integrates architecture, material science, and technology to address social issues, particularly in designing inclusive spaces for communities with disabilities. Ahlquist employs innovative computational design technologies and novel material systems in his research, focusing on the development of malleable and sensory-responsive environments that foster social behavior, particularly among children on the autism spectrum. He has been recognized with the ACADIA Innovative Research Award for his contributions to the field. Ahlquist collaborates with various disciplines—including kinesiology, psychiatry, and data science—and engages with the Ann Arbor community to enhance educational experiences for children with disabilities. His teaching spans undergraduate to graduate levels, emphasizing design methodologies that incorporate equity and material fabrication. Ahlquist holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Architecture from the Architectural Association in London, and he is pursuing PhD research in Computational Design at the University of Stuttgart.

Research Interests

Courses

ARCH 714, Section 1 MS Proseminar ARCH 708, Section 1 Systems Engagement ARCH 739, Section 1 MS Capstone ARCH 509, Section 18 ENGAGE

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science