So Young Kim has been a Professor of Practice at Hanyang University ERICA, Department of Architecture since 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Architecture Lab + focuses on interdisciplinary research and projects addressing the most challenging aspects of contemporary architecture and urbanization. It explores how architecture and urbanism can transform the built environment and enhance the quality of urban life across various scales of community through critical discourse and engagement.
Prior to teaching at Hanyang, she worked for several international practices including Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill LLP, Pei Cobb Freed and Partners (formerly IM Pei and Partners), and Gensler. Her extensive portfolio includes a variety of award-winning projects of diverse scale and type from single-unit residences to skyscrapers in Asia, Americas, and Europe.
In promoting cross-cultural research and projects, So Young and her students have collaborated with several universities around the world, including The Bartlett for the Seoul Biennale and the University of Genoa for the Venice Biennale. For the UIA Congress 2017 in Seoul, she was the Director of the UIA International Studio, where students from 12 universities came together to share their architectural and urban insights. In addition, for the UIA Congress 2023 in Copenhagen, she is the Director of the UIA Global Student Summit, where students from 24 universities will convene and express their voice on the global challenges impacting our built environments.