Meet the Artist Who Supports the Department of Architecture and Urban Design
Every year, the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture (UCLA Arts) welcomes more than 250 new students. Their academic journeys are supported not only by faculty but also by dedicated staff, many of whom are UCLA alumni and practicing artists—continuing the university’s long tradition of professional artists nurturing emerging talent. These staff members are essential to our community, bringing the curriculum to life and helping students transform their boldest ideas into reality.
Across all four degree-granting departments—Architecture and Urban Design, Art, Design Media Arts, and World Arts and Cultures/Dance—staff provide the foundation that enables students and faculty to push artistic boundaries. They are experts in their fields—managing theaters, maintaining studios and shops, guiding students through technology and production, ensuring programs run seamlessly, and fostering inclusive environments where skills and creativity develop together. Their knowledge and care create the environment in which students can take risks and realize their creative visions.
“Our staff work tirelessly to support our faculty, students, and each other,” said Interim Dean Lionel Popkin. “They consistently exceed the bounds of their individual roles to take care of our community. I am immensely grateful for their commitment and dedication.”
Throughout this academic year, we will highlight their impact through a series of stories, honoring the staff whose dedication fuels the collaborative spirit that defines UCLA Arts and empowers the next generation of artists, architects, designers, performers, and scholars.
Together, UCLA Arts staff members foster inclusive environments where students learn core skills in their respective areas, while also engaging in experimentation and exploration. They preserve institutional memory and provide continuity across students’ academic journeys, playing a vital role in building student confidence. Over time, these staff members come to know students deeply and are integral to the UCLA Arts experience.
In the UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design (AUD), Philip Soderlind mentors students from their first year through to commencement.
As shop supervisor, Philip helps turn ambitious ideas into reality. He oversees an expansive, state-of-the-art fabrication shop that includes traditional wood working equipment, CNC routers, laser cutters, thermoformers, spray booths, photography spaces, and a 3D printing lab housing dozens of machines. But his role extends far beyond equipment.
Philip is often the first person students turn to when they need support in considering materials, processes, and timelines. He helps guide projects from conception to completion while coordinating a team of highly skilled student workers who keep the labs running during the program’s most intense moments.
“It’s satisfying working with our students, many of whom come from completely different backgrounds,” Philip said. “They bring their own ways of thinking and problem-solving, and my job is to help them understand new tools and processes. In doing this, I get to know them well, and these relationships often don’t end at graduation. Some students return years later with their kids. That kind of continuity is really meaningful to me.”
During midterms and finals, the shop processes hundreds of jobs each day, some requiring machines to run around the clock. Managing this flow demands technical mastery and a calm demeanor. Philip balances student expectations, faculty priorities, and the realities of time and machinery, all while maintaining an environment that remains supportive.
Trained as a sculptor at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), he spent years running a fabrication and cabinetry business in Los Angeles before joining UCLA in 2005. His experience as an artist, builder, and problem-solver shapes how he collaborates with students and faculty alike. He relishes the challenge of helping students realize seemingly impossible ideas—whether that means connecting them with the right technical expert or demonstrating advanced fabrication methods.
Over time, Philip becomes a steady presence in the academic lives of AUD students, often working with them longer than any single instructor. He watches confidence grow, skills sharpen, and ideas mature. Ultimately, he does more than support student work: he cultivates an environment where students can truly thrive.
All photos by Lucza Brewer.
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