Segene Park | AIA
Secretary, AIA International
AIA International Board of Directors • 2023-2024 Secretary • Chair of 2022 AIA International Spring Conference (held with UIA and ULI Japan)
AIA Japan Board of Directors • 2021 President • Chair of Honorary Fellow Council, Strategic & Accreditation, and Design Awards
Professional / Architect / Masterplanner / Project Manager, Nikken Sekkei
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Segene Park, a distinguished architect and master planner, was born in Seoul, Korea, in 1973. His journey in the field of architecture began when he moved to Chicago, U.S., in 1990, subsequently entering the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in 1993.
Upon graduating from UIC in 2003, Segene embarked on a successful career, joining Epstein as a project designer. His innovative designs not only contributed to team success but also garnered numerous awards and were prominently featured in Architectural Record, where he was recognized among rising young architects. His work also caught the attention of the New York Times Online Edition, AIA Magazine, and other prestigious publications, solidifying his reputation as a talented and forward-thinking architect.
In 2007, Segene made a significant move to Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) in Chicago, a globally renowned architectural, urban planning, and engineering firm. His expertise expanded to overseas projects, with a notable achievement being a 354m-tower in Russia, showcased at the Venice Biennale in 2008, introducing a new form of Russian modern architecture.
After marriage and relocation to Tokyo, Japan, Segene's interest in design evolved into urban planning. In 2015, he joined Nikken Sekkei, Japan's largest and global design firm. Under his guidance, the team won three major international architecture/masterplan competitions, gaining recognition in ArchDaily and other major Russian publications. From 2020 to 2023, Segene's team was honored with 4 major Architecture and Urban Planning Awards in Moscow. This prestigious accolade, selected from a pool of 1,513 nominated residential complexes, involved the evaluation of over 400 independent experts, underscoring his exceptional contributions to the field.
His diverse portfolio spans architectural designs for residential buildings, offices, hotels, museums, convention centers, high-rise and super tall buildings, sustainable buildings, and interior design. His expertise also extends to landscape design and master planning, covering projects ranging from 20 hectares to over 10,000 hectares.
Beyond his accomplishments in architecture and master planning, Segene is recognized for his leadership in professional organizations. In 2021, he became the President of AIA Japan, following 4 years of service as a board member, secretary, and vice-president. In 2022, he was elected as the AIA International Secretary for 2023-2024, showcasing his commitment to the global architectural community.
Segene’s global perspective and commitment to the architectural community are further demonstrated by his involvement with the Cliff Dwellers since 2005 and service as a committee member of the CD Arts Foundation from 2008 to 2012 underscore his dedication to supporting the arts.
As a thought leader, Segene has shared his expertise as a guest design critic at Meiji University, I-AUD Program, and Nihon University. He has organized and instructed Urban Plan Workshops with ULI Japan, collaborating with universities such as Meiji, Waseda, Tsukuba, Nihon University, and KAIST from 2021 to 2022.
Segene’s recent engagements as a key speaker at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and as a panelist for the YLG Forum during the ULI Asia Pacific Summit highlight his commitment to sustainable and impactful design. Segene Park continues to shape the future of architecture with his creativity, leadership, and dedication to excellence.
