Alexander Eisenschmidt

Professor Alexander Eisenschmidt is an architectural theorist and designer at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture. He holds a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, an MArch from Pratt Institute, and a Dipl-Arch from HTWK, Leipzig. Eisenschmidt directs Studio Offshore, an architecture and urban design practice, and the Visionary Cities Project, a research platform devoted to the study of the contemporary city and speculations on new forms of urbanism.

His affiliations include:

• Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture
• Director, Studio Offshore (architecture and urban design practice)
• Director, Visionary Cities Project
• Former reviews editor, Journal of Architectural Education (2012-2013)
• Visiting lecturer at institutions worldwide including University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Professor Eisenschmidt's research focuses on alternative forms of collective housing and the productivities of architectural urbanism. His recent work examines the transition of architect Félix Candela from Mexico City to Chicago and explores visionary approaches to housing in contemporary cities. He has convened significant events such as the Global Summit on Collective Housing at UIC in October 2023, which brought together speakers from around the world to discuss innovative living arrangements that confront affordability challenges. His work bridges historical architectural analysis with contemporary urban issues, particularly around housing innovation and community building.

His publications include 'The Good Metropolis' (Birkhäuser, 2019), 'Félix Candela from Mexico City to Chicago: Rise and Fall of Experimentation in Concrete' (Actar, 2024), and numerous articles in leading journals. His research demonstrates consistent evolution from examining metropolitan architecture to addressing urgent contemporary housing challenges through historical analysis and visionary speculation.

Notable awards include:

• 2025 AIA/ACSA Housing Design Education Award for 'At Home with the Collective: A Seminar and Studio on the Future of Housing'
• Distinguished Faculty Award for 2020-2022 from UIC's College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts
• Teaching Recognition Award (2018 UIC)
• Silver Circle Award
• ACSA Creative Achievement Award
• Researcher of the Year 2015 (UIC)

Professor Eisenschmidt has secured significant research funding including Graham Foundation Publication Grants, a Getty Foundation Library Research Grant, and an Innovation Grant from the Humanities Institute at UIC. His students have engaged in impactful research studios on collective housing, resulting in exhibitions at venues including the National Public Housing Museum and the Chicago Architecture Biennial. His international collaborations span Europe, Asia, and the Americas, reflecting his global perspective on architectural urbanism.

Through his leadership of the Visionary Cities Project and Studio Offshore, Professor Eisenschmidt creates unique opportunities for students to engage with pressing urban issues while developing innovative design solutions for contemporary housing challenges, connecting historical architectural analysis with practical application to today's most urgent urban problems.