Tim Durfee

Tim Durfee is a Professor in the Media Design Practices program at ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles. With a background in architecture and interdisciplinary design practice, he teaches courses including GMDP-554-02: Grad Lab, GMDP-602B-01: Thesis Studio 2, and several other graduate-level design studios focused on media, technology, and critical practice.

Durfee earned his Master of Architecture degree from Yale University and a BA in English and History from the University of Rochester. His educational background informs his interdisciplinary approach that bridges architecture, art, media, and critical theory.

His research interests center on the intersection of design fiction, critical practice, and spatial design. Durfee explores how narrative and speculative approaches can transform design practice, particularly in exhibition contexts. He investigates sustainable and reusable design systems while examining the relationship between temporary construction and ecological responsibility. His work often addresses how physical spaces can facilitate new forms of engagement with science, technology, and cultural narratives.

Durfee's recent projects demonstrate a consistent focus on interdisciplinary design practice, with particular emphasis on the relationship between physical and digital spaces, sustainable material practices, and the role of design in communicating complex scientific concepts. His work spans architecture, exhibition design, furniture, and theoretical writing, revealing a practice deeply engaged with both material and conceptual dimensions of design.

Among his notable recognitions are the 2018 City of Los Angeles COLA Fellowship, the Bronze Dragon at the 2015 Bi-City Biennale of Architecture/Urbanism, and multiple awards from AIA and AIGA. He was selected as one of '50 Under 50: Innovators of the 21st Century' by a distinguished jury.

Durfee heads Tim Durfee Studio in Los Angeles, where he develops independent and collaborative projects that have been honored by major design organizations. His studio practice directly informs his teaching approach, emphasizing experimental methods and critical engagement with contemporary design challenges. He has developed reusable and reconfigurable systems for exhibitions that prioritize sustainable material use and circular design principles.

His work on the 'Crossing Over: Art and Science at Caltech 1920-2020' exhibition demonstrates his ability to create spatial narratives that bridge scientific and artistic traditions. Similarly, his 'Every.Thing.Changes.' exhibition developed innovative approaches to hybrid physical-digital experiences during the pandemic era, showing adaptability and conceptual depth in addressing contemporary challenges.