“Never doubt that a small group can empower our profession and create global impact.”
— Segene Park, Candidate Speech for AIA International 2025 First Vice-President & 2026–2027 President (2023 Election)

Segene Park | AIA

2025 Firs Vice President / 2026-2027 President-Elect, AIA International

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An accomplished architect and master planner, Segene Park has built a distinguished career with renowned firms including Epstein (Annex5) and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), and is currently based in Tokyo with Nikken Sekkei. Numerous projects he has contributed to or led have been widely published in Architectural Record, ArchDaily, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and other leading outlets, earning multiple awards and honors.

Among his notable achievements is the design of a 354-meter tower in Russia, showcased at the Venice Biennale as a symbol of the country’s modern architecture. At Nikken Sekkei, he has led teams to multiple international competition victories and received four consecutive Architecture and Urban Planning Awards in Moscow, recognized among 1,513 nominated residential complexes by over 400 independent experts. His expertise spans architectural design, urban planning, and firm leadership, overseeing projects across residential, office, hospitality, museums, convention centers, high-rise and supertall buildings, sustainable and interior design, TOD, smart cities, and landscape architecture.

Beyond professional practice, Segene has contributed to the global architectural discourse as a keynote speaker at the United Nations HLPF, a panelist at the ULI Asia Pacific Summit, and a lecturer across APEC countries. He is an active educator, serving as an instructor for ULI Japan’s UrbanPlan Program and an adjunct professor at Nihon University, mentoring the next generation of architects and serving as a design critic at leading universities throughout Japan.

In AIA Japan, Segene has served as President (2021), First Vice President (2020), Secretary (2019), and Board Member (2017–Present). During his presidency, the chapter grew by 150% increase, and strengthened partnerships with the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA) and Urban Land Institute (ULI Japan), culminating in a formal MOU. He also participated in AIA Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C., advocating for sustainability and advancing the interests of architects at the legislative level, and represented the chapter in international forums, furthering global engagement and collaboration.

At AIA International, Segene currently serves as First Vice President (2025) and previously as Secretary (2023). Prior to that, he chaired the AIA International Spring Conference, the first joint conference with the International Union of Architects (UIA) and ULI Japan, featuring participation from ULI Asia Pacific, the Saudi Green Building Forum, NCARB, and other international organizations. He recently chaired the 2025 Osaka Expo, which engaged nearly 900 participants and featured support from numerous global organizations. Under his leadership, both participation and organizational partnerships have grown significantly year over year, reflecting expanded recognition of the profession, strengthened advocacy, and increased collaboration with governments, private entities, and academic institutions beyond traditional architecture organizations. Segene also spearheaded the Japan–China Academic Exchange, now expanding globally, establishing strong relationships with organizations such as the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA), Korean Institute of Architects (KIA), Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), Architectural Society of China (ASC), Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF), Green Building Japan (GBJ), Society of Military Engineers Japan (SAME), Urban Land Institute Asia Pacific and Japan (ULI), and many others.

Segene’s work reflects a commitment to empowering architects worldwide, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting innovation in design and professional practice.

 
 

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