Jaak Jurisson

Jaak Jurisson is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), specializing in Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects. He has held this position since 2001 and maintains a concurrent role as a registered architect. His work bridges art, architecture, and spatial innovation, emphasized through visionary drawing and design education.

Education:

• BS in Architecture, 1972, University of Wisconsin
• BFA, 1974, unspecified institution
• MFA, 1977, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• Master of Architecture, 2008, Illinois Institute of Technology

Research & Projects: Co-led the design team for Project Aerotecture (Institute of Design at IIT), which won a Bronze Prize from the Japan Design Foundation. His interests include visionary proposals in art, architecture, and urban spaces, reflected in courses like Architecture: Analog & Digital Processes and Construction Systems.

Exhibitions & Conferences: Work exhibited at institutions including the Art Institute of Chicago, Milwaukee Art Museum, and international venues like the International Invitational Drawing Exhibition in Beijing. Presented at conferences such as DrawingOut (Melbourne) and the International Biennial of Drawing Pilsen (Czech Republic).

Teaching: Leads courses focusing on design drawing, studio practices, and visionary spatial concepts. Current courses include Design Drawing, Undergraduate Studio 2, and Visionary Drawing.

Awards:

• Bronze Prize, Japan Design Foundation International Design Competition (2001)

Collaborations: Co-led Project Aerotecture, exemplifying interdisciplinary design innovation. Student work under his mentorship has been showcased globally.