Luciana Varkulja

Luciana Varkulja is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Design at Otis College of Art and Design and Adjunct Professor at USC School of Architecture. She holds an M.Arch from Columbia University and a B.Arch from the University of São Paulo. With 20+ years of global experience, she founded uma architecture & design, specializing in sustainability-driven projects spanning furniture, urban planning, and installations.

Research Focus

Her work integrates food systems and forestry management into sustainable architecture, emphasizing ethical material sourcing, labor conditions, and supply chain transparency. Research areas include:

• Sustainable urban development
• Cross-disciplinary design methodologies
• Pandemic-responsive spatial solutions

Publication Trends

Recent articles (2012–2022) explore sustainability, urban informality, and design innovation. Themes include architectural responses to COVID-19, ecological materiality, and socio-spatial equity, often bridging culinary arts, forestry, and community resilience.

Awards

• Columbia University GSAPP Incubator Prize (2021-2022)
• AIA Housing Award + 2 related honors (2019)
• Design Excellence Awards (2015, 2013, 2010)
• International fellowships and competition prizes (2001–2012)