A Conversation With Julia Koerner, Architecture’s Queen of 3D Fabrication
Faculty member Julia Körner is an award-winning designer working at the convergence of architecture, product, and fashion design—specializing in additive manufacturing and robotic technology. Recognized today at the forefront of 3D printed innovative designs, Julia's work stands out at the top of these disciplines.
"From the runway to the big screen, and now the red carpet, Austrian architect Julia Koerner has set herself apart as a designer due to her relentless quest for 3D fabrication mastery. Quickly becoming a household name, Koerner splits her time running her practice JK Design GmbH and her role as a faculty member at UCLA's Architecture and Urban Design department. Her architecture background is nothing short of impressive, attending the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and the Architectural Association in London. During her studies, she was surrounded and influenced by the minds of Zaha Hadid, Wolf Prix, and Greg Lynn.
Speciation Architekturentwurf Angewandte Julia Koerner 2008. Rendering © Julia Koerner Koerner's prowess in digital computation transformed her into one of the industry's leading 3D fabrication designers. Archinect spent some time with Koerner for an in-depth interview discussing her start as a designer, working in fashion, teaching, and what it was like working on the Oscar-winning film, Black Panther.
What originally motivated you to study architecture?
I wanted to study fashion design, but architecture was something I was always interested in. When I applied for fashion design school, I actually didn’t get into the program. So then I decided I’m going to study architecture. I had also been traveling with my parents a lot throughout Europe and was fascinated by all the buildings I would see on our travels.
Did you have any architecture role models growing up?
I always admired Le Corbusier's Ronchamp. I was always looking into volumetric and organic forms. When I started studying architecture, it was at the University of Technology first, and then I became interested in the design side of architecture. I fell in love with the work of Greg Lynn who happened to teach at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna at the time. I saw one of his works in Switzerland, the Embryological House. He was exhibiting there, and I was really touched by his approach to working with new technologies and working with organic design language.
I studied with him at the Angewandte which was a really interesting time because Zaha Hadid was teaching there as well and Wolf Prix. It was such an exciting time for the University because we would always have reviews with those people, and I think it really shaped the studio. It's kind of like a vertical studio, so you study for 5 years with the same professor which really allows you to specialize."— Katherine Guimapang, May 6, 2019
This post is an excerpt. Read the full article on the Archinect website.
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