Source: Indiana Public Media

Architect James Timberlake's projects have broken new ground, exploring some of today's most important topics—among them, efficient construction methods, resource conservation strategies, and novel use of building materials. Examples include Melvin J. and Claire Levine Hall at the University of Pennsylvania, which employs the first actively ventilated curtainwall of its type in North America; SmartWrap™, a mass-customizable building envelope exhibited at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum; Cellophane House™, a fully recyclable, energy-gathering dwelling exhibited at The Museum of Modern Art in New York; and the Embassy of the United States in London, which employs strategies to significantly reduce energy consumption and sets an agenda to achieve carbon neutrality. 

Under his guidance, the architecture firm KieranTimberlake has received over 160 design citations, including the AIA Firm Award in 2008 and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award in 2010. James and Partner Stephen Kieran were the inaugural recipients of the Benjamin Latrobe Fellowship for architectural design research from the AIA College of Fellows in 2001. Since 2002, they have co-authored five books on architecture, including the influential book Refabricating Architecture.

In addition to his architectural practice, James teaches a graduate-level design and research studio at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Design. He has held visiting professorships at the University of Washington, Yale University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas at Austin, among other institutions. In 2012, he was appointed by the Obama Administration to serve on the Board of the National Institute of Building Sciences.

He spoke with Kelly Wilson, Director of IU's J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program.

Listen to the interview here.