Announcing the Van Alen Vanguard

Van Alen Institute is thrilled to announce the Van Alen Vanguard: a dynamic network of 21 emerging leaders committed to civic life and design. Throughout the year, they’ll engage in collaborative learning projects that further their practices and reimagine designers’ roles in civic life. Activating our space at Gowanus, they’ll also develop events and exhibitions that center equity, resilience, and local knowledge in design.

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

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