Ferda Kolatan

Ferda Kolatan is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design and founding director of su11, an award-winning design practice. He holds an Architectural Diploma from RWTH Aachen (Germany) and a Master's from Columbia University, where he received the LSL Memorial Prize and Honor Award for Excellence in Design. His work bridges architecture, urban theory, and fabrication, emphasizing sustainable and hybrid urban artifacts. Kolatan has taught at Columbia, Cornell, Rensselaer, and others, and lectures globally.

Research interests focus on architectural innovation, material experimentation, and the intersection of design with urban ecology. His firm su11 has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Swiss National Culture Award and ICFF Editor’s Award, and exhibited at MoMA, the Walker Art Center, and Documenta X. Notable projects include contributions to the Journey to Zero initiative and the 'Meander: Variegating Architecture' publication (Bentley Press, 2010).

• Awards: Chernikhov Prize finalist, MoMA/PS1 Young Architects Program, Swiss National Culture Award
• Practice: su11 (sustainability-focused design, nominated for global competitions)
• Labs/Teams: Leads su11 and collaborates with academic institutions on design studios and fabrication research