VIRGINIA

ZANGS

ARCHITECT

COMPUTATIONAL

DESIGNER

RESEARCHER

PHYSICAL • DIGITAL

SPACES

I'm Virginia Zangs, an architect, computational designer, and researcher driven by a passion for exploring the convergence of technology, culture, and place. With a background that bridges design, innovation, and critical theory, I specialize in crafting spaces—physical, virtual, and conceptual—that empower individuals and foster meaningful connections within communities.

Founding partner of interMediatons, of 𓆩ZM𓆪 and liaison of Mutua.

My work spans cultural institutions, research labs, and design studios, where I've collaborated on projects involving responsive environments, interactive design, and participatory technologies. I approach design as a medium for storytelling—transmitting history, identity, and societal values—whether through exhibition spaces, locative media, or immersive digital experiences.

Multidisciplinary Design Research Studio Founder
InterMediations project

A multidisciplinary design research studio operating at the convergence of spatial design, emerging technologies, and cultural production. Working across scales—from tangible interfaces to installations to urban interventions—crafting experiences that mediate the boundaries of physical and digital realms. The practice integrates architectural thinking, design exploration, and technological innovation to reimagine how we inhabit, interact with, and understand space in an era of rapid transformation.

Liaison: Design & Community Lead Infrastructure for Community Care
Mutua project

Developing digital infrastructure for mutual aid networks, emphasizing trust, equity, and collective resilience. Leading stakeholder engagement and partnership development to create sustainable community support systems.

Speaker Symposium
Digital Double Symposium

Presented research at the symposium "Situating and Troubling AI Technologies for Architectural Reconstruction and Urban Simulation" about "Prompts & Provenance: Decoding Digital Geographies - AI's Interpretation and Our Exploration of Global Localities"with Judd Smith. Explored critical perspectives on AI applications in architectural heritage and urban planning contexts. Bibliotheca Hertziana - Max Planck Institute for Art History, Rome

Participant Codingscape & Hugging Face
Open Source AI Hackathon

Participated in collaborative development of open-source AI solutions, focusing on the intersection of machine learning and spatial design. Worked with Hugging Face's advanced AI models and open-source frameworks.

Columbia Engineering NSF I-Corps
Start Me Up Bootcamp

NSF I-Corps program participant at Columbia Engineering, in collaboration with NYU and CUNY. Leading customer research and product development for P2P.Net Works, a design-research initiative focused on distributed network systems.

Digital Resident Network Sovereignty Research
SOAM Residency

Investigating system change practices through network sovereignty and distributed architectures. Research focuses on innovative governance models, peer-to-peer infrastructures, and community autonomy in digital spaces. Developing frameworks for distributed decision-making and collective organization.

Columbia University Graduate Research Assistant
TUM Dean's Office Publications

Contributed to conceptualization, research, and editorial development of CSR publications, organization and facilitation of workshops focused on spatial data analysis and visualization methodologies. Developing interdisciplinary research frameworks bridging architecture, urbanism, and digital humanities.

Berkeley, US Research Fellow
ToftH

Research fellow at an experimental practice combining philosophy, art, and technology (PArT). Contributing to theoretical frameworks examining human-technology relationships through philosophical inquiry and artistic exploration. Developing methodologies for critical technology assessment and speculative design.

Practice Lab Research & Strategy
Re:Arc Institute

Research on foundations and strategies of philanthropy in relation to planetary wellbeing. Developed comprehensive analysis of built environment and climate change intersections. Created visualization systems and strategic frameworks for philanthropic initiatives in architecture and urban development.

Architect Research & Development
SUB

Worked on design strategy for physical model production and documentation. Conducted competition research and developed strategic approaches for NFT integration in design practice. Focus on innovative representation and fabrication methods.

Strelka Institute Design Research
Terraforming 2022

Participated in speculative design research program exploring planetary-scale systems and emerging technologies. Developed theoretical frameworks and media projects examining the intersection of architecture, technology, and environmental change.

Amsterdam - Munich Architect
Wiel Arets Architects

Worked on architectural design for special education center and MK7 highrise in Munich. Contributed to Friedrich & Karl office complex competition in Cologne (1st Prize), focusing on timber construction and environmental integration. Developed design for River Schussen Park Project in Ravensburg.

New York Architecture & Design Department
MoMA Museum of Modern Art

Contributed to exhibitions including "The Project of Independence: Architectures of Decolonization in South Asia, 1947-1985" and "Neri Oxman Material Ecology". Collaborated on research, exhibition design, and catalog development. Assisted with the X-Ray Architecture event with Beatriz Colomina, Liz Diller, and Giuliana Bruno. Supported exhibition production and installation with MIT Media Lab.

Munich Editorial Work
DETAIL Magazine

Contributed architectural analysis and critical writing across multiple platforms, focusing on innovative design practices and emerging construction technologies.

Basel Architecture & Exhibition Design
Herzog & de Meuron

Part of H&dM Kitchen team with Partner Esther Zumsteg. Contributed to exhibition design, publications, and special projects including Prada Resort 2019 show spaces and HdM exhibitions. Worked on urban studies in Basel and airport extension competition. Involved in archive management and publication development for The Complete Works series.

Rotterdam Architecture
OMA

Contributed to concept design for cultural institutions including Fondation Kanal Brussels and various museum projects under Partners Rem Koolhaas and Ippolito Pestellini. Developed proposals for technology company headquarters and hotel projects. Participated in archive management and research initiatives.

New York Exhibition Design
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Contributed to exhibition design for "The Theater of Disappearance," "Rei Kawakubo: Comme des Garçons," and "Irving Penn: Centennial." Collaborated with curators and artists on spatial design and installation strategies for contemporary and historical exhibitions.

Technical University Munich Research Assistant
TUM Dean's Office Publications

Research assistant at the TUM Dean's Office for Architecture. Contributed to academic research, publications and teaching initiatives.

Munich Research Assistant
Architekturmuseum der TUM

Contributed to curatorial research, exhibition design, and publications for "World of Malls: Architectures of Consumption" and "Francis Kéré: Radically Simple" at the Architekturmuseum der TU München. The exhibitions explored architectural developments from shopping malls' global influence to Kéré's socially engaged and ecological design approaches. Worked on exhibition research, spatial design, and catalog development.

Munich Student Assistant

Research & Academic Positions

I graduated from the MS in Computational Design Practices Programme at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation - GSAPP, Columbia University.

Since 2022, I have been a licensed Architect (ByAK Bayrische Architekten Kammer) with a Master's degree and Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the Technical University of Munich and Politecnico di Milano.

My work experience includes collaborations with institutions and firms including Wiel Arets Architects, Herzog & de Meuron, and OMA, as well as research positions at The Terraforming - Strelka Institute, ToftH - Transformation of the Human, and partnerships with cultural institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum, MoMA, Architektur Museum - Technical University Munich TUM and the Center for Spatial Research CSR - Columbia University.

I worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at Columbia's Center for Spatial Research - CSR, contributing to projects that bridge design, architecture, urbanism, the humanities and data science.

Inspired by feminist spatial practices, technocultural innovation, and the potential of emerging technologies, I aim to create thoughtful, inclusive, and transformative designs. My practice is guided by an interdisciplinary ethos, blending creativity with critical analysis to navigate complex ideas and reimagine the ways we interact with the world around us.

Throughout my career, I've developed expertise across multiple domains including architectural design, computational design, digital strategy, and research methodologies. My interdisciplinary approach combines technical skills in digital technologies with a deep understanding of spatial design and cultural theory.

TTF The Terraforming is a three-year (2020–2022) design-research initiative of the Strelka Institute, directed by Benjamin H. Bratton and Nicolay Boyadjiev. The program runs as an interdisciplinary design think-tank and will host contributions from multiple faculty and experts.