Joe MacDonald, founder of Urban A&O, merges academic insight with forward-thinking design at the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and public engagement. Formerly an Associate Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design and currently a principal at Urban A&O, MacDonald’s practice is known for pushing the boundaries of parametric modeling and digital fabrication. His award-winning work, such as the Steinhart Aquarium’s Water Planet at the California Academy of Sciences, exemplifies his talent for sculpting environments that integrate ecological principles with innovative design. With projects ranging from interactive museum installations to Carbon-Neutral Data Centers and urban development plans, MacDonald continues to advance architectural solutions that respond to the evolving challenges of climate change, resilience, and urban density worldwide. His work has garnered recognition in top publications like Time Magazine, The New York Times, and Metropolis Magazine.
