
Assistant Professor
Dr.sc., ETH Zurich
jcastellon@rice.edu
Juan José Castellón is an architect (ETSA Barcelona, 2003), an M.Arch. in Emergent Technologies & Design (Architectural Association London, 2011), and a Doctor of Sciences from the Swiss Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich, 2018).
Castellón's research focuses on the implementation of innovative material processes and structural systems in architecture and on the integrative and ecological design of building infrastructures. Through his work at Rice and his collaborative practice, xmade, located in Basel and Barcelona, he explores the materialization and sustainable design of contemporary building envelopes.
His research output includes structural and material prototypes, installations, and peer-reviewed articles and publications. Recent projects have explored the use of ceramics and textiles in building structures—stemming from his collaboration with eminent manufacturers in Spain—in particular for rooftop structures that also mitigate the effects of sun and rain, a project that was featured in the 2021 Seoul Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism, and exhibited at the collateral event “Students as Researchers: Creative Practice and University Education” organized by the New York Institute of Technology as part of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition The Laboratory of the Future, organized by La Biennale di Venezia 2023.
As an architect, Castellón has collaborated with international firms such as FOA (London), Abalos & Herreros (Madrid), SHoP Architects (New York), and Herzog & de Meuron (Basel). Before joining Rice University, he also taught at the ETH Zurich and the Barcelona Institute of Architecture.
Project Team Members
Atkinson, Rae
M.Arch, 2023
Barajas, Estefania
M.Arch, 2021
Feng, Tammy
B.Arch, 2023
Garza, Samantha
M.Arch
Ju, Madeline
M.Arch
Pham, Van
M.Arch, 2023
Vo, Nhi
M.Arch
Xia, Jeff
B.Arch, 2022
Xu, Michael
M.Arch, 2023
Zhu, Beixi
M.Arch, 2021
Ayala-Lopez, Christian
M.Arch, 2023
Chen, David
B.Arch, 2023
Francis, Carolyn
M.Arch, 2021
Gil Rivas, Dante
M.Arch
Lopez-Cardozo, Sebastian
M.Arch, 2021
Sobkiv, Olga
M.Arch, 2024
Wang, Yao
M.Arch
Xie, Angela
B.Arch, 2024
Yamamoto, Elliot
M.Arch
Zhu, Liufei
B.Arch, 2023
Website Designers
Xu, Chloe
B. Arch Candidate, 2024