Background

Brett Snyder, AIA is a principal of Cheng+Snyder, an experimental architecture studio based in Oakland, California, and an Assistant Professor of Design at the University of California, Davis.

Research

Snyder works at and researches the intersection of architecture, media, and graphics with a particular interest in urban spaces.

Current research includes Capitol Corridor: Waterscapes, a multidisciplinary collaboration promoting stewardship of the environment and Smart Sidewalks, an initiative to transform public spaces into productive ecologies.

Publications and Work

Recent projects include

• Smart Sidewalks, a winning entry to the NYC Reinvent Payphones competition
• Museum of the Phantom City an architectural iPhone app to view visionary but un-built architecture
• S.Alt City an interactive building mural in Syracuse, New York.

Snyder’s speculative and built work has been featured in national and international media outlets including:

• Architectural Record
• The Architect’s Newspaper
• BBC News
• BLDGBLOG
• Fast Company
• Metropolis
• The New York Times
• WNYC.

Prior to founding his design firm, Snyder designed internationally at a wide range of scales. His experience spans disciplines from working on large urban scale architecture projects to intimate size objects to interactive experiences.

Awards

Snyder’s award winning work has been exhibited internationally including the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale. Snyder is a recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts award and a Van Alen New York Prize Fellowship.

Teaching

Snyder has taught design and architecture at several institutions including Columbia University, Cooper Union, Pratt, Syracuse, and University of the Arts, Philadelphia.