Douglas Hecker

Douglas Hecker serves as Associate Professor of Architecture at Clemson University within the College of Architecture, Art and Construction and the Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture. He co-founded Fieldoffice, an interdisciplinary design studio tackling environmental and social issues through innovative projects including affordable housing, toys, and highway barriers, with work featured in Business Week, Discover Magazine, and Architectural Record.

He earned a Master of Architecture from Columbia University (recipient of the William F. Kinne Fellowship) and a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida. His academic journey includes prior teaching at the University of Michigan as Visiting Assistant Professor and professional experience at Handel Architects in New York City.

Hecker's research integrates CAD/CAM and digital fabrication with design activism to empower communities through accessible systems. His work emphasizes sustainable architecture, community-driven solutions, and democratizing design access, bridging visionary concepts with tangible social impact through initiatives like cusa.dds and ddbNOLA.

Honors include the Metropolis Magazine Next Generation Award (2007), selection for the 10th Venice Biennale of Architecture, and Columbia University's William F. Kinne Fellowship. These recognitions highlight his contributions to design innovation and socially engaged practice.

As an educator, Hecker mentors students in design activism and founded Clemson's cusa.dds digital fabrication facility alongside ddbNOLA, which implements community-focused design-build projects in New Orleans. His leadership establishes practical frameworks for translating academic research into real-world interventions addressing housing and urban challenges.