Van Alen Vanguard
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A cohort of rising professionals reimagining cities, public space, and designers' roles in civic life.
Launched in 2026, Van Alen Vanguard is a dynamic network of emerging leaders committed to civic life and design. Over one year, they’ll engage in learning and collaborative projects that further their practices and professional development. Activating Van Alen’s space at 303 Bond Street, they’ll also develop public programs and exhibitions that reimagine designers’ roles in civic life and center equity, resilience, and local knowledge.
Upcoming Events
February 19, 2026
What Language Leaves Behind: Integrating Graphics and Architecture
Join us for our inaugural Van Alen Vanguard event: A discussion on cross-disciplinary design collaboration between Studio Loutsis, REX, and Snøhetta.
2026 Cohort
Farida Abu-Bakare
Associate Principal and Director of Global Practice, WXY
Annie Barrett
Founding Principal, Aanda Architects
Senior Critic, Yale School of Architecture
Francesca Bastianini
Co-Founder and Principal, Sighte Studio
Ekin Bilal
Co-Founder, NOT NOT
Visiting Critic, Cornell AAP
Diana Budds
Journalist
Pamela Cabrera
Senior Associate, Transsolar KlimaEngineering
Celia Chaussabel
Co-Founder, NOT NOT
Reyner Banham Teaching Fellow, University at Buffalo
Justin Den Herder
Vice President and Principal, TYLin
Curry J. Hackett
Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU Steinhardt
Jerome Haferd
Founder, JEROME HAFERD Studio
Ekene Ijeoma
Founder, Black Forest
Founder, Studio Ijeoma
Dione Lee
Senior Designer, HUSH Studios
Taylor Loutsis
Creative Director and Founder, Studio Loutsis
Jessie McGuire
Managing Partner, Thought Matter
Benjamin Meade
Senior Design Director, Alloy Development
Daniel Pittman
Partner, TAD
Sanjukta Sen
Landscape and Architectural Designer, Field Operations
Clara Syme
Co-Director, a83
Hermona Tamrat
Founding Principal, hgt studio
Paula Vilaplana
Curatorial Associate, MoMA
Instructor, Syracuse University School of Architecture
Charlotte Wessell
Director of Development, GSAPP
Contact
Emily Conklin
Network and Public Programs Manager