Environment-Reactive Computation (with Ladybug)

Jacob Lehrer is an architectural designer and researcher dedicated to exploring the intersection of architecture, technology, and ecology. Currently an M.Arch II candidate at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI_Arc), he holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Wentworth Institute of Technology and is an Advanced Study Fellow from MIT. His professional background spans from co-founding LMDA LLC, where he led design development for animal care facilities, to managing operations and space planning as a Project Coordinator for the MIT Mathematics Department. Jacob views architecture as a problem-solving discipline, leveraging his diverse experience to bridge the gap between abstract algorithms and physical space. A triple-accredited LEED AP (BD+C, O+M, ND), Jacob combines a deep commitment to sustainability with advanced technical proficiency in tools like Python, Rhino, Grasshopper, and KUKA robotics. His recent work includes developing the "Sentient Environment Engine," a custom computer vision algorithm for analyzing occupant behavior, and fabricating mathematical sculptures for MIT’s permanent collection. Whether teaching PAACADEMY parametric design workshops or publishing research on the ethics of language models, Jacob focuses on using computation to create built environments that are responsive, efficient, and tailored to their specific contexts.