Professor Julia Koerner Advances Sustainable Architecture Education at UCLA
Published: January 14, 2026 | By Reese Dahlgren, Daily Bruin
Julia Koerner teaches at UCLA. She works in the Architecture and Urban Design program. She uses smart methods that join sustainability and technology. She has worked on award-winning costume designs. Now she blends 3D printing with computational design in her class. She urges students to break old boundaries in architecture.
Integrating 3D Printing and Biomimicry in Design
Koerner runs one-year research studios. Students use advanced tools like Grasshopper. They build custom 3D models. The course stresses biomimicry. This means they mimic natural systems to find sustainable solutions.
Graduate students like Jared Miao and Maryam Abdal use these ideas. They work on projects such as aqua visors and 3D-printed goggles. These projects support the 2028 Summer Olympics. Their work shows that architecture goes beyond building. It also shapes fashion and product design.
Promoting Sustainability Through Material Innovation
Koerner stresses the reuse and recycling of materials. She asks students to design climate-adaptive building features. They have built housing facades that serve as temporary shading devices. This work shows practical ways to apply sustainability.
Students learn to cut waste. They remove extra structural supports. They choose reusable biomaterials from natural sources. This practice leads to cost-effective and eco-friendly design.
Addressing 3D Printing Waste Concerns
3D printing opens new doors. Yet it may create material waste. Koerner and her students see this risk. Jared Miao stresses precise material estimates and design efficiency. He wants 3D printing to help sustainability instead of harm the environment.
Fostering a Collaborative and Explorative Learning Environment
Koerner builds a collaborative classroom. Students share ideas and challenge design rules. This setting inspires explorers like Maryam Abdal. She moves into nontraditional architectural fields. The approach shows that niche skills and innovative tools boost careers.
Conclusion
Professor Julia Koerner’s work shows how to mix smart technology with green design at UCLA. She links computational design, biomimicry, and careful material use. Her methods equip future architects to meet environmental challenges with creativity and care. This interdisciplinary approach proves that architecture can influence many industries and spark a new generation of sustainable design leaders.
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