Winka Dubbeldam Named Director & CEO of SCI-Arc
The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) is delighted to announce the appointment of the internationally acclaimed Dutch architect, educator, and design innovation leader, Prof. Winka Dubbeldam, as its next Director and Chief Executive Officer. Winka will officially assume her leadership role on September 1, 2025, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the globally recognized institution.
SCI-Arc’s selection of Winka Dubbeldam underscores its unwavering commitment to design excellence, critical thinking, and maintaining its position as a global leader in architectural education. An award-winning architect with a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Winka brings a bold and forward-thinking vision, coupled with extensive experience in both practice and academia, to guide SCI-Arc into its next era of innovation and impact.
“SCI-Arc has long been a beacon for radical experimentation, and I am honored to join a community that continuously redefines what architecture can be,” expressed Winka Dubbeldam upon her appointment. “I look forward to building on the school’s legacy of innovation and fostering new opportunities for students and faculty to engage with the future of design.”
Winka’s impressive career encompasses significant contributions to both architectural practice and education. She is a full Professor of Architecture and served as Chair at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design for a decade, from 2013 to 2023. Prior to her tenure as Chair, she demonstrated her visionary leadership by initiating and directing the Post-Professional Architecture program at Penn for ten years (2003–2013). In this role, she equipped international students with cutting-edge theoretical and technological knowledge and cultivated innovative design skills essential for thriving in the dynamic field of architecture.
Beyond her profound impact on architectural education, Winka is the esteemed founding principal of Archi-Tectonics, an award-winning architectural studio with a global presence, boasting offices in New York, Amsterdam, and Hangzhou. Her architectural work is celebrated for its pioneering use of hybrid sustainable materials, integration of smart building systems, and the creation of elegant and innovative structures that push the boundaries of design. Her influential work has been extensively documented in four monographs, with a highly anticipated fifth publication, Monsters and Mutants (Park Books, Switzerland), scheduled for release later this fall, further solidifying her position as a thought leader in the field.
SCI-Arc’s appointment of Winka Dubbeldam reflects its ongoing dedication to fostering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment that encourages radical experimentation and challenges conventional architectural norms. Her extensive experience, coupled with her future-oriented perspective on design, will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of SCI-Arc’s evolution and its continued global influence.
As SCI-Arc enthusiastically welcomes Winka Dubbeldam, the institution also extends its deepest gratitude to Hernán Díaz Alonso for his transformative leadership over the past decade. Under his visionary direction, SCI-Arc significantly expanded its global reach, deepened its commitment to cutting-edge research, and redefined architectural education for a new generation navigating the complexities of the digital age. His unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of architectural discourse has left an indelible mark on the institution.
“SCI-Arc has always been about looking forward—challenging conventions, taking risks, and imagining new futures for architecture,” shared Hernán Díaz Alonso, reflecting on his tenure and the upcoming transition. “I’m excited for this next chapter, and I know the school is in excellent hands with Winka. She’s been a longtime friend of SCI-Arc, and her vision, creativity, and global perspective align deeply with the spirit of this place. That spirit has never been about any one person—it’s about the ideas we build together.”
Winka Dubbeldam’s appointment as the next Director and CEO signals an exciting new era of leadership for SCI-Arc—one that will be driven by a deep sense of curiosity, a commitment to rigorous critical inquiry, and a profound dedication to shaping the evolving role of architecture in the world to come. Her unique blend of academic rigor, professional innovation, and global perspective promises to inspire the next generation of architects and further solidify SCI-Arc’s position as a leading force in architectural education and design discourse. The SCI-Arc community eagerly anticipates the visionary direction and innovative spirit that Winka Dubbeldam will bring to the institution.
