Janette Kim Closed Now

Early Life and Education

Janette Kim is a Korean-American architect and urbanist whose work focuses on addressing climate change through innovative design. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Columbia University and later completed her Master of Architecture at Princeton University. Her academic background provided a strong foundation for integrating environmental science, design, and community engagement in sustainable infrastructure projects.

Pioneering Climate-Responsive Urban Design

Kim is widely recognized for developing design strategies that respond to the dual challenges of urbanization and climate change. Her projects often combine sustainable architecture with social programs, ensuring that resilience planning benefits communities of all income levels.

Rather than creating isolated infrastructure, she advocates for multifunctional systems—spaces that can serve as public parks, flood protection, and ecological habitats simultaneously.

Key Projects and Achievements

1. Resilient by Design | Bay Area Challenge – A large-scale initiative where Kim and her team developed The Big U, a flood protection and ecological restoration project for the San Francisco Bay Area.

2. Infrastructural Ecologies – A series of research and design proposals for multifunctional infrastructures that blend transportation, housing, and ecological systems.

3. Urban Cooling Strategies – Projects integrating vegetation and reflective materials into urban surfaces to mitigate heat island effects.

These works highlight her ability to merge climate resilience with equitable access to public amenities.

Urban Works Agency & Studio O

Janette Kim is the Director of the Urban Works Agency at California College of the Arts (CCA), where she leads research on urban resilience, housing, and ecological systems. She is also a principal at Studio O, an architecture and urban design practice that focuses on sustainable and socially inclusive development.

Awards and Recognition

• AIA Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design – For innovative climate adaptation work.

• San Francisco Urban Design Award – Recognized for projects that improve climate resilience and public accessibility.

• Featured in Architectural Record and Metropolis magazines for her interdisciplinary approach.

Design Philosophy on Sustainable Infrastructure

Kim’s philosophy revolves around integrative systems thinking. She believes sustainable infrastructure should not be single-purpose but should address environmental, social, and economic challenges together.

For example, a floodwall should double as a public promenade, and a transit hub should incorporate green roofs that manage stormwater and reduce heat.

Global Influence

While based in the United States, Janette Kim has worked on projects in:

• Asia – Coastal resilience planning in South Korea and Vietnam.

• North America – Large-scale sustainable infrastructure projects in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York.

• Europe – Collaborative urban regeneration projects incorporating green energy systems.

Her cross-continental work reflects a belief that climate change is a global challenge requiring localized yet adaptable design strategies.

Publications and Teaching

Kim has contributed to numerous academic journals and design exhibitions. She co-authored the book The Underdome Guide to Energy Reform, which addresses the political and social implications of sustainable energy systems in urban design.

As an educator, she mentors the next generation of architects and planners, emphasizing the need for creative problem-solving in sustainable infrastructure.

Vision for the Future

Janette Kim envisions sustainable infrastructure as the backbone of urban life, providing not only climate resilience but also improving the quality of life for all citizens. Her approach is grounded in collaboration between architects, engineers, ecologists, and communities to create multifunctional, beautiful, and resilient cities