Columbia GSAPP is hiring a director of Making Studio to join its team in New York.
Basic Function:
Reporting to the dean, the director of Making Studio promotes the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP) pedagogy and student engagement in digital fabrication. The fabrication shop focuses on pushing the boundaries of technology, tools and material research. The incumbent manages fabrication activities from small scale massing models to full scale building details. Guides and advises students in the execution of projects as assigned by faculty, conducts tutorials and workshops on the use of digital fabrication machines and in general promotes the school’s fabrication shop as a space of learning. Oversees the new GSAPP makerspace in Schermerhorn. Oversees students’ use of a wide variety of materials, including wood and wood products, plastics, and ferrous and nonferrous metals. Supports studio and course work assignments, as well as independent projects. Seeks to increase student exposure to design and production opportunities offered by a variety of digital machines, software and techniques.
Examines the future of making at GSAPP, initiates and maintains contact with industry and seeks opportunities for fabrication research and supports such research. Helps bring together academics, architects, designers, engineers and students to explore questions and ideas related to the practices and process of fabrication.
Responsible for the fully equipped facilities designated for building models, fabricating furniture, sculpting and exploring building systems. The director of Making Studio will manage the budget for the makerspace, creating a plan and working with the finance office as necessary to execute equipment and materials orders, ensuring that all expenditures are correctly expensed within the makerspace budget. The director of Making Studio also ensures an accurate inventory is kept of all equipment and materials. Will be responsible for recommending proper equipment for purchase in terms of cost, benefit, timeliness and effectiveness.
Responsible for all training and compliance matters related to the use of the fabrication shop including but not limited to mandatory safety training that teaches students how to work safely in the shop while exposing them to a wide range of tools and procedures. Responsible for developing and administrating fabrication lab policies, procedures, manuals procurement and storage protocols; the implementation and management of new machines as new technologies are adopted.
Collaborates with the director of operations on the digital production of construction elements and design features used in renovation and other projects as requested by the dean and in managing/executing in-house renovation projects generally scheduled for semester breaks and summer. Ability to establish priorities for assignments with deadlines.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the dean, the director of Making Studio promotes the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP) pedagogy and student engagement in digital fabrication. The fabrication shop focuses on pushing the boundaries of technology, tools and material research. The incumbent manages fabrication activities from small scale massing models to full scale building details. Guides and advises students in the execution of projects as assigned by faculty, conducts tutorials and workshops on the use of digital fabrication machines and in general promotes the school’s fabrication shop as a space of learning. Oversees the new GSAPP makerspace in Schermerhorn. Oversees students’ use of a wide variety of materials, including wood and wood products, plastics and ferrous and nonferrous metals. Supports studio and course work assignments, as well as independent projects. Seeks to increase student exposure to design and production opportunities offered by a variety of digital machines, software and techniques (35 per cent).
Examines the future of making at GSAPP, initiates and maintains contact with industry and seeks opportunities for fabrication research and supports such research. Helps bring together academics, architects, designers, engineers and students to explore questions and ideas related to the practices and process of fabrication (20 per cent).
Responsible for the fully equipped facilities designated for building models, fabricating furniture, sculpting and exploring building systems. The director of Making Studio will manage the budget for the makerspace, creating a plan and working with the finance office as necessary to execute equipment and materials orders, ensuring that all expenditures are correctly expensed within the makerspace budget. The director of Making Studio also ensures an accurate inventory is kept of all equipment and materials. Will be responsible for recommending proper equipment for purchase in terms of cost, benefit, timeliness and effectiveness. Responsible for all training and compliance matters related to the use of the fabrication shop including but not limited to mandatory safety training that teaches students how to work safely in the shop while exposing them to a wide range of tools and procedures. Responsible for developing and administrating fabrication lab policies, procedures, manuals procurement and storage protocols; the implementation and management of new machines as new technologies are adopted (20 per cent).
Collaborates with the director of operations on the digital production of construction elements and design features used in renovation and other projects as requested by the dean and in managing/executing in-house renovation projects generally scheduled for semester breaks and summer. Ability to establish priorities for assignments with deadlines (20 per cent).
Performs other duties as assigned (5 per cent).
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and/or its equivalent and a minimum of four to six years of related experience required. Advanced degree desirable. Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with and motivate diverse groups of people.
Must have experience with Techno CNC 3 axis routers, pneumatic press brake, phasm and laser cutter. Must know Rhino, AutoCAD and Illustrator, Techno’s software and RhinoCAM. Basic troubleshooting and repair skills on the above listed machines requires. Good building and model skills, as well as basic construction and shop skills.
All applicants should apply via the button below.