What is your name, current location, and current occupation?
My name is Clay Anderson and have been living in Seattle since graduation. I am an Associate at Olson Kundig and currently focus on residential and cultural projects.
What was your affiliation with MIT?
I completed my M. Arch in 2013 with concentration on urbanism.
What was your thesis title?
My thesis was titled Havana ruins : post-embargo habitación regenerative prototypes. I was investigating new forms of accommodation that celebrated the ruin and material of Havana instead of demolishing wide swaths of the city for future American influx.
What are you doing today?
What I really enjoy is the diversity of projects and work I get to contribute to at Olson Kundig. Today, for example, I was working on several projects including a clubhouse in Park City, a residential remodel in NYC, a cabin in Hudson Valley and a kitchen house garden outside of London.
How did your time at MIT affect your career path?
Exposure to innovative material investigations and fabrication / installation design while at MIT are something I still think of to this day. It is something that I embed into the “why” I practice architecture and think about design in general. I think you can see some of the installation work transfer to some of my work / interest at Olson Kundig
What are you excited about in your career field today?
I am excited to continue to see a convergence between new technologies and architecture. Currently there are interesting disruptions with AI and automation which will have huge impacts to the industry.
What is advice you would give to a new alum coming out of MIT?
Ask questions and really listen.
How can fellow alums reach you if they want to speak further?
Reach out to me on Instagram @claybismarc or email me clay@olsonkundig.com
IMAGE AND PROJECT CREDITS
Photo 1 Credit: Rafael Soldi
The Icecube
Photo 2 Credit: Eirik Johnson
Project Team: Mark Olthoff, AIA, LEED® AP, Design Mentor; Clay Anderson, Noah Conlay, Jarri Hasnain and Gregory Nakata, Architectural Staff
The Cortland
Photo 3 Credit: Aaron Leitz
Project Team: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, and Kirsten Ring Murray, Design Principals; Daniel Wilson, Principal; Clay Anderson, Project Architect / Project Manager; Michelle Hamilton, Justin Dennis, Ann Wright and Evan Harlan, Architectural Staff; Debbie Kennedy, Interior Design; Margaret Undine, Hunter Van Bramer and Eunice Kim, Interior Design Staff.
Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal
Photo 4 Credit: Benjamin Benschneider and LMN Architects Project Team:
Team: Clay Anderson, David Backs, Greg Bishop, Elizabeth Correa, Aubrey Davidson, Matthew Fisher, Howard Fitzpatrick,
Cody Gabaldon, Apoorv Goyal, Mette Greenshields, Chelsea Holman, Euiseok Jeong, Gustavo Lopez, Graham Moore, Lori Naig, Christopher Patterson, John Petterson, Bennett Sapin, Tyler Schaffer, Todd Schwisow, Kathy Stallings, John Woloszyn, Rushyan Yen.
(Clay worked at LMN Architects 2013 – 2016)