Carson Smuts

Carson Smuts is a South African-born architect and graduate of UCT and Columbia University (MSAAD – Masters of Science Advanced Architectural Design, 2011, New York). Both designer and researcher, his work focuses on the societal impact of technology.

Currently a Research Scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, Carson specializes in city science and the development of urban interventions and design instruments. He leads the development of the MIT’s Environmental Sensor (TerMITes) project at MIT’s CityScience lab. His recent work involves data analysis, embedded systems, desktop and mobile programming, computer vision, industrial design/fabrication, interface design, and robotic architecture.

His recent professional academic experience includes his time as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University, New York, where he taught architectural studio with Mario Gooden and Mabel Wilson. Having learnt robotics and programming during his time at Columbia and MIT, his interests turned towards technologies applicable to the relationship between architectural space and body – specifically interfaces between users and machines in an urban context and the liminal spaces of society where equity, or lack thereof, in technological systems is often overlooked. This includes his PhD candidacy and work with Prof. Noëleen Murray, chair in critical architecture and urbanism at the University of Pretoria.

Carsons specializes in algorithmic architecture and the development of parametric software for the global architectural community. He brings an authentic approach to the design studio which combines analogue and digital processes to spatialize urban phenomena.