Francisco Sanin is a Colombian Architect and educator. Professor Sanin’s work and research is in the field of urban design, as well as the history and theory of the city with particular focus on role of design in the socio-political dimension of architecture and urbanism.
In 2019 he was Director of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism an opportunity to research, collect and exhibit emerging ideas of urban design initiatives from around the world, particularly in the field of urbanism as a tool for social transformation. In 2011 Professor Sanin was the designer for the Gwangju Design Biennale working with Directors Ai Wei Wei and Seung H Sang.
He is currently professor at the School of Architecture in Syracuse University in NY where he has previously been Chair of the Graduate Program as well as the Director of the architecture programs in London and Florence. Sanin has taught in Schools across the globe including Princeton University, the Architectural Association, Universidad UPB in Colombia, the Korean National University of the Arts in Seoul, Universidad Simon Bolivar in Venezuela among others.
His Design practice has been engaged in projects around the world from China and Korea to Mexico, Colombia, the US and Europe. In Medellin, Colombia he has worked with both the City and State governments as consultant and designer in multiple projects working with complex organizations and developing urban projects and strategies at multiple scales. In Mexico he worked with the University Tecnologico de Monterrey in an urban design plan for the Tech District around the university campus, The work involved both, urban design, community engagement, design strategies, as well as collaboration with the local government. In China and Korea Sanin has collaborated with institutions and government bodies in the articulation of Urban design strategies, architecture projects and cultural events all geared to develop new approaches to urban design. In Italy he has been invited by local authorities as consultant on urban and architectural projects. Professor Sanin has lectured in universities and cities around the globe. His work has been published worldwide.
Teaching, Academic Experience
2023 - ongoing
Emeritus Professor Syracuse University School of Architecture
1996- 2023
Professor School of Architecture Syracuse University
2019
External Adviser Kuwait School of Architecture
2014- 2015
External Examiner. Architectural Association (London). Projective Cities Program
2014- 2016
Director, Architecture Program. Syracuse University London
2010 - 2013
Chair Graduate Programs, Syracuse University School of Architecture. US
2013 - 2014
Member Advisory Board for the new Michael Graves School of Architecture at Kean University. US
2011- 2014
Member Executive Committee. Program in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Syracuse University. US
2012
Advisor to Eafit University for the creation of new Architecture Master’s Program. Medellin, Colombia
2009
Full Professor, Syracuse University School of Architecture
2009 - 2011
Founding member and Member Academic Committee URBAM, centre for urban research at EAFIT University. Medellin, Colombia
1995 - 2009
Tenured, Associate Professor at Syracuse University. US
1993 - 2008
Director of the Syracuse University School of Architecture Program in Florence. Italy
1993 - 2007
Director of Master II Program in Urban Design. Florence, Italy
1991-1995
Assistant Professor, Princeton University School of Architecture. US
1985-1990
Unit Master, Intermediate Unit 3, Architectural Association School of Architecture. UK
1986-1990
Design Studio tutor. Kingston and Greenwich University UK