Matthew S. Bower is a writer, editor, and researcher specializing in critical theory and environmental philosophy. His research focuses on ideology and the production of urban fossil modernity, climate crisis and infrastructure, and representations of utopia and catastrophe. He works in the Communications Office of The Cooper Union and has served on the Second Faculty of the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of North Texas and his M.A. in philosophy from the University of Toledo.

Justin Den Herder is a Professional Engineer with 16 years of project-based, collaborative experience and knowledge. He has actively contributed on nearly 500 projects since joining Silman in 2007. His professional experience ranges from concept design through construction administration on new construction, renovation, and historic preservation projects.

Justin is the former Editor in Chief of SEAoNY Cross Sections magazine and has been published in Modern Steel Construction and the book DIALOGUES – A Shelter for Architecture published by the GIANY. In 2015 he traveled to Nepal for one month to assess earthquake damaged structures. He is passionate about art—poetry in particular—and in creating engaging, sustainable, and equitable architecture.

As a principal at Silman, Justin leads the firm’s efforts on Design Innovation, combining traditional engineering fundamentals with current computationally based tools and workflows with the goal of improving the ability to collaborate.

Justin is the recipient of the Fitch Foundation’s 2023 Robert Silman Award for his proposal 2x which seeks to repurpose wood framing from single family residences slated for demolition and repurpose them in the design of new structures using inventory-driven design and robotic fabrication.

Justin's CV is available here. 

Nicole is an architect committed to promoting equity in the built environment and public realm. As a Principal of Shakespeare Gordon Vlado Architects, she led the firm’s work in affordable housing, resulting in the design of homes for over 3,500 families, seniors, and formerly unhoused New Yorkers. She has also dedicated her career to improving the practice of architecture through active roles with the AIANY’s Housing Committee, nycoba NOMA Professional Development Committee, and as a professional mentor for ARCscholars, an architectural and urban design program for teen and young adult NYCHA residents. Nicole is currently working to facilitate public-private partnerships to improve NYCHA’s open spaces as a Policy and Planning Fellow at the Design Trust for Public Space, and to help solve the NYC housing crisis as an Urban Design Forum Big Swings fellowship.

Nicole's CV is available here.