Episode 135: Architecture, And: Melodie Yashar, Space Architect

How can you merge architecture with space robotics to create a new design language? 

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we sit down with Melodie Yashar, a space architect, technologist, researcher, and Vice President of Building Design and Performance at ICON, a construction technologies company focused on large-scale additive manufacturing. First, Melodie illustrates the niche discipline of space architecture and the types of backgrounds and perspectives that lead people into the field. We learn about Melodie’s serendipitous entrance into space architecture after submitting to a NASA 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge, and why the merge of design and technology is an inspiration for her work.  

3D printing was an area that felt like it was advancing my knowledge in technology and taking it beyond the scope of creating an architectural model. Tackling the most challenging scientific and technological problem of space, you merge architecture with a specific idea or opinion of space robotics. That was the thing that really compelled me at the time. And it still does, frankly. - Melodie Yashar

Then, we dive into ICON: The five main areas they contribute to, their different building and design teams, and one of the company’s newer additions, 3D-printing house design. We learn why 3D printing became a solution for challenges space architecture faces, and how ICON’s teams plan for unforeseen events when working with emerging technology like 3D printing. Melodie also details projects ICON’s working on alongside NASA to reimagine aspects of space.

To wrap up the episode, Melodie speaks to the rapid growth of the space architecture field, plus ways to collaborate with ICON and help reimagine 3D printing as a new design language.    

Tune in next week for an episode about redesigning the future of work. 

Guests:

Melodie Yashar, is a space architect, technologist, and researcher. She is the vice president of building design and performance at ICON, a construction technologies company focused on large-scale additive manufacturing. Melodie oversees the architectural direction of ICON’s built work as well as the performance of ICON’s building systems to deliver optimally performing structures that shift the paradigm of homebuilding on Earth and in space. Melodie is a professor at ArtCenter College of Design. In previous roles, Melodie was a research associate at NASA Ames as well as a co-founder of Space Exploration Architecture, a research group developing human supporting design concepts for space exploration. Her background is in industrial design, architecture, and human-computer interaction with an emphasis in robotics.

📍 Show Links:  

Connect with Melodie on LinkedIn

Learn more about ICON

Join ICON’s Initiative 99 Competition 

Watch Melodie’s TED Talk 

📚 Continue Learning:

Learn more about AIA’s Women’s Leadership Summit

Check out NASA’s 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge

Take a peek at House Zero  

📚 Past Episodes Referenced:

PD #25: Architecture, And: Tech

PD #66: Architecture, And: Technology

PD # 102: Architecture, And: An Evolving Career in Tech

PD #134: Architecture, And: Growing a Tech Start-up out of an Architecture Firm

📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Twitter

Check out our past episodes 

Be a part of our community — join the conversation!