Kihong Ku

Dr. Kihong Ku is the IDEA Studio Director and one of its co-founders. As an associate professor in architecture at Thomas Jefferson University, he is also the program director of the PhD in Architecture and Design Research Program. He works in the area of emerging design technology and studies its impact on the building and design process. His research focuses on how design technology changes, facilitates, and improves concept design and design development processes. Currently he focuses on integrating building performance with innovative material strategies and performance based design practices. Ongoing work includes research on adaptive building envelopes and textile material strategies, and relevant prototyping research incorporating off-site fabrication approaches. His research has been funded by various public and private funding entities including NCARB, NIOSH, Skanska USA Building, the Research Affiliates Program at Virginia Tech, Philadelphia University, and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Dr. Ku received a Doctor of Design and Master in Design Studies degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Architecture) degrees from Seoul National University, Korea. In recognition of his teaching and scholarship he was awarded the 2019 Provost Award for Applied Research, Thomas Jefferson University 2016 President’s Award for Teaching Excellence at Philadelphia University, the 2011 XCaliber Award by the Center for Innovation in Learning at Virginia Tech and 2011 Excellence in Outreach Award from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Tech.