On leave for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023

Sawako Kaijima is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the GSD and the Shutzer Assistant Professor at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute. Her work investigates the integration of architectural, structural, and environmental knowledge to create unique, efficient, and previously unattainable designs. In pursuing this objective, she develops computational design methods and artefacts employing computer simulation such as Finite Element Analysis and various digital fabrication technologies. Her work has been widely published, exhibited, and won multiple design awards.

Pursuing both academic and applied research at the interface of architecture, engineering, and computer science, Kaijima has been at the forefront of investigating the question of how the integration of architectural aesthetics with engineering efficiency can be achieved. She has led multiple interdisciplinary research projects in collaboration with various fields ranging from structural engineering, aeronautics, material science, to art. In addition, she was involved in the development of a vast range of architectural projects undertaken in collaboration with widely acclaimed architectural practices such as ZHA, Thomas Heatherwick, Fosters + Partners, Future Systems and others at the London based structural engineering consultancy, AKT.

As Director of Sawapan Design Ltd., Kaijima, along with her professional partner Panagiotis Michalatos, has also developed a range of software applications for the intuitive and creative use of structural engineering methods in design.

Prior to joining Harvard, Kaijima held an appointment at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. She received a Master of Architecture degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Information from Keio University, Japan.