Profile
Andrew Colopy’s research, teaching, and practice examine the interrelationship of the building envelope, material, and information technology in the theory and practice of architecture. He pursues this practice-based research through his firm, Cobalt Office, where he examines material aspects of building components in conjunction with their prototyping and digital fabrication. Colopy has led Cobalt Office to realize a number of experimental public projects—The Luminary, Public Media Commons, Riverlands Avian Observatory, and Sheldon Plaza—and his practice is currently at work on several large-scale housing projects.
His expertise involves automated design, fabrication, and construction methods and he has brought this line of research to his teaching through the school’s design-build program, Construct, where students design, build, and prototype structures, including Houston’s first net-positive accessory dwelling unit, a project that brought together research and service in an impactful way for the community.
Colopy’s creative works and writing have contributed to numerous books, including Tumble in Inscriptions: Architecture before Speech, Totalization: Speculative Practice in Architectural Education, The Design Build Studio, and OfficeUS Atlas. His design work and writings also appeared in journals such as Praxis, Architect, Texas Architect, and Architectural Record, among others. His work has been exhibited at MoMA and the Venice Biennale. He is a MoMA PS1 Young Architects Program finalist and has been recognized with ACSA, ASLA, AIA St. Louis, AIA Houston, and TxA design awards.