Benjamin Aranda Named Acting Dean of Architecture

Dear Cooper Union,

As was announced in March, Hayley Eber will complete her term as Acting Dean of The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture on May 31, 2025. Effective immediately, Benjamin Aranda is assuming the position of Acting Dean and will work in transition with Hayley during her final two weeks. In addition, Mersiha Veledar will continue in her leadership role, now as the school’s Acting Associate Dean.

Benjamin Aranda is a teacher, practitioner, and researcher of experimental design and architecture. He was recently named the inaugural IDC Foundation Distinguished Professor at The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, in recognition of his commitment to advancing interdisciplinary learning across the schools of architecture, art, and engineering. Since joining The Cooper Union as a faculty member in 2016, he has taught undergraduate and graduate design studios as well as interdisciplinary seminars.

Since 2018, Benjamin has co-taught Generative Algorithms and Machine Learning for Art and Architecture—nicknamed “GenML”—alongside electrical engineering professor Sam Keene, the John and Mary Manuck Distinguished Professor of Design. The course explores the intersections of computation, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Benjamin is also a principal at Aranda\Lasch, an architecture and design studio based in New York and Tucson. Their wide-ranging work—from generative software to physical architecture—reflects a critical engagement with making in an age of algorithmic tools, invoking long-standing histories and cultural traditions. Their work is part of the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, among others, and has been exhibited internationally across a range of institutions and galleries. Recognition includes the United States Artists Award, the Architectural League’s Emerging Voices Award, the Miller Prize, and support from the Graham Foundation.

Mersiha Veledar, AIA, a Cooper Union alumna (AR’03), stepped into the Acting Assistant Dean role at the start of this academic year and has played a significant role in the school’s re-accreditation work and the NAAB on-site visit review. An assistant professor since 2005, Mersiha has been dedicated to teaching and coordinating a range of innovative studios at the School of Architecture, focused on the development of universal elements, building-integrated housing, and architectonics. Her teaching and the work of her students have been recognized by the Studio Prize from Architect Magazine for top studio in North America, the RIBA Royal Medal for “World’s Best Projects,” and have been showcased in numerous exhibitions, conferences, and publications. She also directs, coordinates, and teaches the “Introduction to Architecture” summer program for high school and college-level students and has served as chair of the undergraduate admissions committee over the years. Her extensive professional experience encompasses a range of public and private programs, ranging in scale from schools and museums to domestic residences.

The search committee has been engaged in identifying the next permanent dean for the School of Architecture. The committee will continue its work, adjusting its timeline to accommodate the involvement of Steve McLaughlin once he arrives this summer. Steve begins as president of The Cooper Union on July 1.

We are delighted that Benjamin has agreed to serve as the Acting Dean of the School of Architecture at this time. He is deeply connected to the Cooper community as is Mersiha. The pair is incredibly well suited not only to lead, but also to inspire and engage the architecture community here as we prepare to welcome new leadership at both the institutional and school levels.

Our thanks, too, to Hayley for all of her contributions to the Cooper community throughout her time in the Dean’s office. I know we all wish her the best in her new role with the Van Alen Institute.

Malcolm King             

 

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