Research Assistant
PhD Student
khong@gatech.edu

Tzu-Chieh Kurt Hong is a PhD candidate in the School of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The current research of Kurt is mainly focusing on implementation of shape computation system, including the development of geometry/graph kernel, novel data representations and shape recognition algorithms. Kurt is a research assistant at the Shape Computation Lab working with Dr. Thanos Economou and his works include the implementation of shape grammar interpreter, generative modeling system of US Courthouse design and generative modeling system of Froebel blocks. Before entering Shape Computation Lab, Kurt was a research assistant at the Digital Building Lab working with Dr. Dennis Shelden, and his main contribution to Digital Building Lab included the implementation of Automatic Routing System in architecture and an interactive web-based data visualization platform, Smart 3D Atlanta. Kurt holds BSEE, MSEE, MArch from the National Chiao Tung University (Taiwan), and MSArch from the University of Michigan.

Research Assistant
PhD Candidate
h.ligler@gatech.edu

Heather Ligler is a PhD Candidate in the Design Computation concentration in the School of Architecture, College of Design at Georgia Institute of Technology. Within the School, she is also a research assistant in the Shape Computation Lab and a lecturer for the Architectonics in Greece + Italy Program. Her ongoing research investigates the evolution of John Portman’s architectural language from his 1964 Atlanta residence, Entelechy I, to his emblematic mega-projects for atrium hotels and mixed-use urban developments all over the world. Her larger research interests focus on how shape computation provides another lens to explore the logic of spatial systems in architectural design. Heather is a registered architect in the State of Georgia and a member of the American Institute of Architects. Her background includes professional experience with John Portman & Associates (2007-2013), Gensler (2007), and Cooper Carry (2005-2006). Heather holds a MS Arch from Georgia Tech and dual Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Interior Architecture degrees from Auburn University.

Research Assistant
PhD Student
james.park@gatech.edu

James Park is a PhD Student in the School of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research investigates courthouses as a building type and focuses on designing and implementing a generative description of the building type in the form of a shape grammar. James is a research assistant at the Shape Computation Lab and his contributions include the administration of a funded research project, Courtsweb: A visual database of contemporary US courthouses, in collaboration with GSA and US Courts; generative and parametric modeling in formal design studies; and design and implementation of various database and web applications. He is an instructor for the series of courses on computational media and modeling at the School of Architecture and a teaching assistant for the Georgia Tech Architectonics in Greece and Italy Study Abroad Program. James holds a BSArch and MArch from the Georgia Institute of Technology.