The School of Architecture is pleased to announce the appointment of Benjamin Aranda as the Acting Dean of The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture at The Cooper Union.
 
Benjamin brings a distinguished record of teaching, design, and leadership to this role. As a long-standing member of The Cooper Union’s faculty and a principal of Aranda\Lasch, his work bridges innovative architectural practice with deep intellectual inquiry. He is widely recognized for his explorations in geometry, material systems, and collaborative design methodologies. He was recently named the inaugural IDC Foundation Distinguished Professor at the School of Architecture, in recognition of his commitment to advancing interdisciplinary learning across Cooper’s schools of Art, Architecture, and Engineering. 
 
Benjamin joined The Cooper Union as a faculty member in 2016, and he has taught undergraduate and graduate design studios as well as interdisciplinary seminars. Since 2018, he 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.
 
Aranda\Lasch is 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 held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others, and has been exhibited internationally; recognition of their work includes the United States Artists Award, the Architectural League’s Emerging Voices Award, the Miller Prize, and support from the Graham Foundation.
 
In his new role, Acting Dean Aranda, working with Acting Associate Dean Mersiha Veledar, will continue to champion the school’s legacy of rigorous design education while advancing a vision rooted in experimentation, civic responsibility, and academic excellence. He is stepping into this position with the support of the school’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni at a pivotal moment for the School of Architecture and the institution.
 
Please join the School of Architecture in congratulating Benjamin Aranda and welcoming him to this new leadership role.