ERIC FUTERFAS

environmental design - architectural research - material science - ecological analysis - parametric design - sustainability - planning - film photography - 



︎ Bio
︎ efuterfas@berkeley.edu
︎ LinkedIn Profile
︎ Berkeley, CA

ERIC FUTERFAS


Studying the built environment has reinforced my admiration for the natural environment. Most contemporary architecture has been shaped by attitudes and technologies that have dominated and denied natural elements critical to our health. My work attempts to utilize these elements in environmentally and culturally critical ways, creating bridges with nature rather than boundaries.


Experience


2024

cur

Hyphae Design Lab

Oakland, CA

Environmental Designer

Schematic design for educational barn, bath, pavilion, and cabin structures
CEQA documentation preparation
Client Development
Structural design coordination
Material investigation

2022

21 mo

Atelier Ten

San Francisco, CA

Environmental Designer

Solar Analysis and optimization of facades and skylights
Holistic Carbon assessments to quantify embodied + operational carbon footprints
On-site stormwater and greywater re-use analysis
Ecosystem Service Research
Tool building with excel and python
LEED/Fitwel Benchmarking

2021

8 mo

UC Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

Graduate Student Researcher

Material Research of hydrogels and lichen for 3D bioprinting with living matter
Bioink Preparation of bioinks using laboratory equipment
Design Analysis to determine density of lichen-hosting modules
Seminar Assistance to help classmates design and 3D bioprint their projects
Building Code Research to determine site constraints in urban context
Schematic Building Massing for sustainable mixed-use competition submission

2020

4 mo

Habitat Horticulture

Berkeley, CA

Design Research Intern

Material Research of capillary textiles to improve passive irrigation strategies
Moisture Sensor Research to remotely monitor moisture data of installations
Fire Resistance Research for non-combustible systems in exterior applications
Living Wall System Design innovating on material composition and performance
Living Wall Maintenance by handling healthy and unhealthy plants in assemblies
Conceptual Facade Design to establish framework for a living building envelopern

2017

21 mo

O’Brien Atkins

Research Triangle, NC

Junior Architect

Schematic Design of public higher education and technology buildings
Design Development using BIM software to refine building layout and details
Construction + LEED Documentation to prepare for site plan approval
Master Planning of higher education and corporate technology campuses
Daylighting Analysis for LEED to ensure sufficient natural light exposure
Life Cycle Assessment for LEED to ensure sustainable material choices

2016 

10 mo

Design Line Studios

Cary, NC

Intern Architect

Interior Design to renovate religious worship space
Detailing of miscellaneous interior and exterior assemblies
Rendering of interior perspective and exterior elevation views
Material Specification by choosing and organizing appropriate materials
Presentation to clients by composing and communicating design solutions
Ceiling Plan Lighting Layout arranging lights and coordinating electrical circuit

2013

6 mo

Ross/Deckard Architects
Raleigh, NC

Intern Architect

Schematic Design of upscale private lake house
Construction Drawing Layouts composed and sequenced into a coherent format
BIM Modeling of apartment building to successfully market to developer
Drafting Plans, Sections, and Elevations translated from physical documents
Digital and Physical Archiving to organize files and drawings for easy retrieval
Door / Window Schedules formatted to organize and coordinate fenestrations



Education


2022

University of California, Berkeley

Master of Science in Architecture (M.S. Arch)

Developed design research project on urban-vegetative fusion via biomimetic and computational processes

2017

University of Stuttgart

Freemover in ITECH M.Sc. Arch Program

Designed schemes and researched materials to prototype the 2017-18 ITECH Research Pavilion

2016

North Carolina State University 

Accredited Professional Bachelor in Architecture (B.Arch)

Progressed knowledge and skills in further detail while branching into more experimental architecture

2015

NCSU

Bachelor in Environmental Design in Architecture (BEDA)

Developed skills to analyze, conceptualize, design, and communicate modern/contemporary architecture

2014

NCSU

Semester Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic

Studied the city to design a sequence of ephemeral landscape installations



Recognition


2023 

Domaine de la Chaumont

Design Competition Award - Best in Show

Design and Construction of Resilient Garden for Landscape Architecture Festival in France

2021

ASHRAE - Golden Gate Chapter

Eric Thor Andresen Memorial Scholarship

For research into indoor detoxification with VOC filter project and lichen research involvement

2021

Burning Man / Land Art Generator Initiative (LAGI)

Design Competition Shortlisting

Passive Geothermal Greenhouse design for a Sustainable Infrastructure competition, potential to develop prototype on site

2020

UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design

Stephen Lenci Award

Graduate competition within CED recognizing projects bridging Architecture and Landscape Architecture

2017

North Carolina State University - Study Abroad Office

Study Abroad Scholarship

Awarded to help fund freemover semester at the University of Stuttgart to inform computational aspect of thesis project

2016

American Institute of Architects - Triangle North Carolina Chapter

AIA Honorable Mention Scholarship

Awarded in recognition of successful Comprehensive Studio project Contemporary Art Institute