The Architect’s Stair

Beste Aykut is an architect, designer, artist, and educator based in New York City. Raised between Stuttgart, Germany and Istanbul, Turkey, she studied at the University of Stuttgart and the University of Tokyo, and completed her studies at Pratt Institute. Beste has previously worked across the globe with renowned offices, including Kengo Kuma & Associates, Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects, and Snarkitecture. She currently serves as Project Lead Architect at BKSK Architects, shaping New York’s skyline. Her previous work was included in the 17th International Architecture Biennale, “How will we live together?”, as part of the World Energy Collectives exhibition. Beste also served on the advisory committee for the interim structure and master plan that will accommodate the Stuttgart State Opera and Ballet during renovation of their primary venue. Beyond her architectural practice, Beste's genre-bending photography has been shown internationally in solo exhibitions, bridging the two-dimensional and spatial worlds.  

Niko Kapa, founder of Studio Niko Kapa, is an award-winning architect, industrial designer, and researcher, widely recognized as one of the most influential young design practitioners in the Middle East. A recipient of numerous international design awards, he champions innovative architecture grounded in research, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and the cultural significance of the built environment.A significant portion of his work focuses on raising awareness about architecture and urban development in the Middle East while promoting sustainable practices through innovation. Kapa’s commitment to excellence, combined with his ability to envision and deliver complex design projects, has established him as a prominent figure in contemporary architecture and design.

Ariana B. Parrish is a licensed architect and cultural strategist based in Baltimore, Maryland. At Gensler, she focuses on workplace, cultural, and civic environments that advance wellness, belonging, and community impact. Parrish is actively engaged in architectural advocacy and education, mentoring students at Morgan State University, serving on the board of Nosreme Baltimore, and previously leading the NOMA National Conference Legacy Project. With professional experience abroad and travel to more than forty countries, she brings a global perspective to her work, connecting people, place, and culture through architecture that conveys a shared narrative.

Pippa Nissen is a Director and Founder of Nissen Richards Studio. She studied architecture at the University of Cambridge, gaining first class honours, returning to teach as a Design Fellow, and also led a museum design unit at London Metropolitan University. Pippa additionally studied for an MA in Theatre Design at Slade School of Fine Art, graduating with distinction. Her unique fusion of architecture and theatre design and deep understanding of both space and scenography are amongst the many elements that set Nissen Richards Studio apart. In the 15 years since the studio was founded, Pippa has become one of the international museum sector’s most experienced and awarded designers, with projects completed for many of the world’s greatest cultural institutions. In 2024 and 2023, these included the major refurbishments of the UK’s National Portrait Gallery and The Courtauld, both of whose teams were shortlisted for The Stirling Prize, with The Courtauld going on to win The People’s Poll Award.

Pepyn Nolet is an Associate Director at Stephen Taylor Architects with over 25 years of experience in architecture across the UK and the Netherlands. Based in London since 2006, he has led award-winning projects that demonstrate a commitment to both social infrastructure and innovative design. Prior to joining Stephen Taylor Architects, Pepyn was an associate at Witherford Watson Mann Architects in London. He has been project architect for projects that include the Stirling Prize 2025-winning Appleby Blue project, a mixed-use housing and day-care facility in Antwerp, as well as other commercial and residential projects. Beyond his practice work, Pepyn has contributed to architectural education as a tutor for a postgraduate design unit at London Metropolitan University for five years. His independent collaborations have garnered recognition in international competitions, including the prestigious 23rd ASCER Tile of Spain Award for a house refurbishment in Catalonia.

Shinya Sueyoshi is an architect and multidisciplinary designer whose work spans architecture, product design, branding, and digital design. While his primary focus is architectural design, his practice extends across logos, corporate identity, product development, and web design, engaging fluidly with multiple creative disciplines. Originally from Fukuoka Prefecture, Shinya founded GAMMA Architects in 2018. His cross-disciplinary approach reflects a commitment to design coherence across scales—from spatial concepts to visual communication—bringing a holistic sensibility to contemporary practice.

Takumi Takahashi is a designer, art director, and artist whose work operates at the intersection of spatial design, visual communication, and contemporary art. He is a faculty member at Kyoto University of the Arts, where he contributes to design education with a strong emphasis on conceptual clarity, material expression, and experiential environments. Takahashi’s practice spans exhibitions, installations, branding, and architectural-scale spatial projects, often exploring how light, structure, and narrative shape human perception. His work has received wide international recognition, including top honors from the A’ Design Award, Red Dot Award, iF Design Award, The One Club ADC Awards, FRAME Awards, and the Architecture MasterPrize, as well as numerous major design awards in Japan. Through both professional practice and teaching, he is known for advancing design as a cultural and spatial discipline that bridges art, communication, and the built environment.

Mengyu Zhao is a registered architect at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) in New York City, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and co-founder of TrayStudio, an award-winning design practice. She holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Tsinghua University. Her work spans architecture, art, and design, with contributions to global projects such as the San Diego International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 5, and Beijing Baiziwan Social Housing. Mengyu’s designs have been featured by CNN, NBC, Dezeen, and ArchDaily, and have received honors including Gold at the International Design Awards and the MUSE Design Awards.

Zehua Zhang is an architect and Associate Principal at KPF in New York, bringing seven years of international experience across architecture, urban design, and adaptive reuse. A licensed architect in New York State and a LEED Accredited Professional, he is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received the Master of Science in Design: Advanced Architectural Design Prize for Design Excellence. His work spans large-scale buildings, historic preservation, interior renewal, and mixed-use developments, with contributions to projects such as the transformation of the historic Jinan Brewery in China, the revitalization of Mantua’s city center in Italy, master plans for Changi Airport’s new district in Singapore, Dubai Creek waterfront in the UAE, and Marina Island in Jeddah. At KPF, he has also worked on major architectural commissions including Project Blue in Hong Kong, the HKUST Guangzhou campus, and a residential development in Miami. Zehua’s design work has been recognized internationally with distinctions from the IADA International Architecture & Design Awards, MUSE Design Awards, eVolo Skyscraper Competition, CTBUH Tall Building Design Competition, and the UIA. He brings to the jury a commitment to contextual thinking, cross-cultural design intelligence, and the belief that competition platforms can foster a new generation of socially responsive and critically engaged designers.

Siyu Zhu is an architectural designer at Johnston Marklee, where she contributes to major cultural and institutional commissions. Her work includes exhibition and installation design for internationally renowned platforms such as the Venice Architecture Biennale, the Chicago Architecture Biennial, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture. Projects she has worked on have been featured across leading architectural media, including Designboom, KoozArch, The Plan Journal, e-flux Architecture, and World-Architects. She holds a Master of Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, has served as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard College, and has been invited as a guest juror for several academic institutions and international design awards.