Ralph Spencer Steenblik
Lecturer
Assistant Director of the WK-Labs, Urban Design Think Tank
Office: A405
E-mail: rsteenbl@kean.edu
Courses
-ARCH 1101: Studio 1, Urbanism and Architecture
-ARCH 1102: Studio 2, Architecture and Elements
-ARCH 1201: History 1, Historical Development of Architectural Issues
-ARCH 1601: Theory1 Elements and Principles1, Intro to Understanding Architecture
-ARCH 2103: Studio 3, Landscape
-ARCH 2104: Studio 4, Architecture and Urban Building
-ARCH 2303: Representation 3: Hand and Digital Skills
-ARCH 3401: Structures 1
-ARCH 4211: Vertical Architecture History/Theory I
-ARCH 4311 Vertical Representation I: Hand and Digital Skills
-DSN 1102: Visual Form II
Education Background
2009-2012
Southern California Institute of Architecture,
Master of Architecture
2011
Angewante Kunst,Vienna,Austria
Deep futures Studio——Rashid
Competitive Study Abroad under Hani Rashid
2005-2009
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Architecture
Biography
Ralph Spencer Steenblik has lectured, published, exhibited, and curated globally. His work exhibited at Art Basel, VERGE 19, Site Santa Fe’s Design Lab, The International Festival of Arts & Ideas and in London, Berlin, Barcelona, and Wenzhou, China, focuses on the crossover between analog and digital processes. He spoke at Tongji University’s CAUP digitalFUTURES, CAADRIA, CAAD Futures(Korea), ACADIA(MIT), AIANY; and as a keynote at a symposium at Yonsei University. His work is published prolifically. An invited peer-reviewer for The International Journal of Architectural Computing (IJAC), he also oversaw the masterplan for a rural Chinese village, published as “A Manifesto for Xinwu Village”.
A professor at Kean University’s School of Public Architecture, he has taught at Pratt Institute, NJIT, CUNY, and has sat as critic on juries at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Pratt, CUNY, FIT, Parsons, NJIT, NYIT, Wesleyan University, Kean University, University of Hartford, and ISU (ID). His influence has been felt at design offices such as Asymptote and is a founding member of an innovation platform at Pelli Clarke Pelli. Some projects of note include The Hudson Yards Masterplan, The Ping An International Finance Centre (second tallest building in China), The Beinecke Library renovation at Yale University, Arizona State University Business School in Tempe, USA, and renovation at the World Financial Center, New York. He founded his interdisciplinary project, phi architecture, with clients such as Google, Huayi Space, and Venture Anyway, in 2004. He holds a masters from SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture).
Steenblik acts from the philosophy that interdisciplinary collaborations infuse spaces with nuanced solutions, and is interested in creating urban complexity and intricacy on the macroscale and inspiring, interactive spaces on the micro scale. Incorporating advanced digital tools and sustainability offers new opportunities to this ongoing project.
Academic Experience
Assistant Director, WK-Labs Urban Design Think Tank Kean University/Wenzhou-Kean University Teaching a full range of curriculum and acting administrator of the WK-Labs UDTT, and Architectural shop
（2018 – Ongoing）Newark, NJ/Wenzhou, CN
Adjunct Professor, New York City College of Technology
Teaching 1st & 4th year design studio and visual studies in conjunction with robotics research（2015 – 2018）Brooklyn, NY
Visiting Instructor, New Jersey Institute of Architecture Teaching 3rd year visual studies
（2017）Newark, NJ
Visiting Instructor, New York City Institute of Technology Building technology seminar
（2015 – 2016）Brooklyn, NY
VIsiting Instructor, Pratt Institute
Teaching 4th year design studio with Prof. Dan Bucsescu（2015-2016） Brooklyn, NY
Conference Co-organizationer, Pratt Institute Sculpting the Architectural Mind（2015） Brooklyn, NY
Teaching Assistant, Southern California Institute of Architecture under professor Marcelyn Gow （2012）Los Angeles, CA
Guest Instructor, Die Angewandte Kunst
Parametric modeling workshop with object oriented modeling in Grasshopper under professor Andrei Gheorghe （2011）Vienna, Austria
Teaching Assistant , Southern California Institute of Architecture Architectural History II under professor Dora Epstien Jones （2011）Los Angeles, CA
Teaching Assistant, Southern California Institute of Architecture
Curry Stone Design Prize Research Dosey Seminar under professors , David Mohney, past dean at the University of Kentucky and Chris Genik, Undergraduate dean at SCI-Arc.
（2010）Los Angeles, CA
Research Field
Competitions, projects, and international initiatives including
Chinese Cultural Asset Digital Documentation (CCADD) Grant funded project which includes VR, Photogrammetry, LiDAR, and online platforms for disseminating immersive spatial information)
Intelligent Infrastructures including
Neuromorphic, Anticipatory, Epigenetic Architectural Systems
The Theoretical Implications of Conscious Spaces
Material Research including
Full scale fabrication of experimental structures
Deploy-able structures
Local craftsmanship in the digital age
Publication
Steenblik, R. S. (2020). Carbon Natural Using Molecular Logics as Inspiration in Micro-Bamboo Structures. In Proceedings of the 2019 DigitalFUTURES The 1st International Conference on Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication (CDRF 2019). Singapore: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-981-13-8153-9
Wang, W., Steenblik, R. S. (2019). Bespoke Tools Providing Solutions for Contemporary Problems – Novel BIM practice for architects. In Intelligent Informed – Proceedings of the 24th CAADRIA Conference(24th ed., Vol. 2, CAADRIA Conference, pp. 111-120). Wellington, NZ: Victoria University of Wellington. doi:http://papers.cumincad.org/cgi-bin/works/Show?caadria2019_199
Steenblik, R. S. (2019, January 25). Toward a Global Localism. Retrieved from
https://favelissues.com/2019/01/20/toward-a-global-localism/
Anzalone, P., Bayard, S., Steenblik, R. S. (2017). Rapidly Deployed and Assembled Tensegrity System: An Augmented Design Approach. In ACADIA 2017: DISCIPLINES DISRUPTION [Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture(pp. 92-101). Cambridge, MA: ACADADIA. doi:http://papers.cumincad.org/cgi-bin/works/paper/acadia17_92
Steenblik, R. S. (2016). TOWARD AN ANTICIPATORY ARCHITECTURE – A CONVERGENCE WITH INTELLIGENT MACHINES. In Project Anticipation When design shapes futures in architecture and urban design(pp. 130-141). Milan, IT: Maggioli Editore. doi:https://www.maggiolieditore.it/project-anticipation.html
Steenblik, R. S. (2016, July 28). The New Vistas Controversy, The Cost of the Status Quo. Retrieved from https://favelissues.com/2016/07/27/the-new-vistas-controversy-the-cost-of-the-status-quo/
Steenblik, R. S. (2016, June 09). A brief Overview of the History of Conscious Spaces. Retrieved from https://www.neuroarchitectura.com/articles/2016/6/8/nyivsyn4y6emgi3ajyk9o39sujo1wd
Steenblik, R. S. (2016, April 23). Gaming Architecture for Neuroscience. Retrieved from
https://www.neuroarchitectura.com/articles?month=April-2016
Steenblik, R. S. (2014). Infinicity Project. In Educating Architects How tomorrow's practitioners will learn today. London, UK: Thames Hudson.
Steenblik, R. S. (2014, February 5). The Architect’s Brain: Neuroscience, Creativity, And Architecture, Book Review. Retrieved from https://arcspace.com/bookcase/the-architects-brain-neuroscience-creativity-and-architecture/
Steenblik, R. S. (2010). Move: An exploration of Positive Parametrics an ideology for a new millennium. Los Angeles, CA: RW Informatics. doi:https://www.amazon.com/Convergence-Work-Ralph-S-Steenblik/dp/1468156020
Scully, N. (2011). TIMEless: An Exhibition Catalog Exploring 4D Space. Los Angeles, CA: RW Informatics. doi:https://www.amazon.com/TIMEless-Exhibition-Catalog-Exploring-Space/dp/146624769X
Steenblik, R. S., Von Hasseln, K. (2011). The Art of Archives. In Onramp (2011 ed.). Los Angeles, CA: SCI-Arc.
Steenblik, R. S., Beus, C. (2008). Warriors of Design / and Highlights from the Phoenix Contemporary Design Fair. In Kontakt Magazine (May & July Issues ed.). Phoenix, AZ: Kontakt Magazine.
Exhibition
Steenblik, R. S., et al., (2019) Crossing Digital Analogical Mapping. [printed panel], Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Department of Architecture. Architecture across Boundaries exhibition, Suzhou, China.
Steenblik, R. S., (2014) Birth Vase [cast Aluminum from 3D Printed Mold], Various Venues including venues at Art Basel, New York, London, Berlin, Barcelona. (2018-2019) GaleriaZero
Steenblik, R. S., (2019) Giving [granite from 3D printed mold], Anamnesis – Momentum Through Memory, Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, China
Steenblik, R. S., et al., (2019) Carbon Natural [chopsticks with 3D printed joints], Thinking Creatively Conference Exhibition, Wenzhou, China.
Steenblik, R. S., et al., (2019) Crossing Digital & Analogical Mapping. [printed panel], CAADRIA
Conference Exhibition, Victoria University, School of Architecture, Wellington, NZ.
Steenblik, R. S., et al., (2019) Carbon Natural [chopsticks with 3D printed joints], International Fashion and Culture Industries Exposition, Wenzhou, China.
Steenblik, R. S., (2014) Birth Vase [cast Aluminum from 3D Printed Mold], International Festival of Arts & Ideas (2014)
Steenblik, R. S., (2013) Sonata Panel [vacuum formed acrylic], Design Lab, Site Santa Fe, NM
Steenblik, R. S., (2014) Event Matter [various materials], SCI-Arc Thesis Exhibition,
Pacific Design Center (Summer 2011) TIMEless – a 4d Exploration of Time, Curated by
Steenblik, R. S., et al., Los Angeles, CA
Steenblik, R. S., Von Hasseln, K., (2010) The Art of Archive [various, including animation, models, and printed boards], SCI-Arc Spring Show, Los Angeles, CA
Steenblik, R. S., Von Hasseln, K., (2010) The Art of Archive [various, including animation, models, and printed boards], AIA Year End Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA
Steenblik, R. S., (2010) Digital Lace [lasercut fabric], Guerrilla Gallery Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA
Steenblik, R. S., McMartin, T., (2010) The Life Cycle of the Luffa Sprout [3D print, cnc milled foam], SCI-Arc Spring Show
Los Angeles Art Walk (Summer 2009), Relatively Spatial Curated by Steenblik, R. S., et al., Los Angeles, CA
Awards
2018 Honorary Consultant to Xinwu Village, China
2018 Professor of the year award
2018 Best paper award, Tongji University, digitalFUTURES conference
2019 Selected for exhibition at Verge 19, Oakland, California
2019 Selected for exhibition at Art Basel (GaleriaZero)
2018, 2019 Guest Jury Honorarium XJTLU