Florida International University is pleased to announce the appointment of three distinguished educators and practitioners to the School of Architecture faculty. These appointments reinforce FIU’s commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and the advancement of architectural education
Felipe Mesa joins FIU as an Assistant Teaching Professor. He is the founder and principal of PLAN:B Architects, a respected design practice based in Medellín, Colombia. With over 20 years of experience, Felipe has led the design and construction of more than 50 projects spanning public spaces, sports facilities, educational buildings, hotels, offices, residences, and art installations. His work has been internationally recognized through exhibitions such as the Colombian Architecture Biennial and the Chicago Architecture Biennial, and featured in leading architectural publications including Architectural Review and Domus. Prior to FIU, Felipe held academic positions at Arizona State University and several universities in Colombia, and served as the Ivan Smith Eminent Visiting Professor at the University of Florida School of Architecture. His architectural philosophy centers on the project as a provisional pact—a permeable and positive expression of eco-social contexts.
Cynthia Öttchen joins as a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor. A registered architect, published author, and educator, Cynthia has held key roles in world-renowned firms including the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in Rotterdam, where she managed internal affairs and directed research initiatives exploring parametrics and sustainability. Her expertise in digital methodologies has been recognized through visiting professorships at McGill University and design critiques at Harvard GSD. Cynthia holds a Master of Architecture from Rice University and completed postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. In addition to her architectural career, she is co-author of best-selling books on Shakespeare and language.
Sara Valente joins FIU as a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor, contributing to both the School of Architecture and the Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab. Sara earned her architecture degree magna cum laude from Universidad Central de Venezuela and holds a Master of Architecture from Columbia University. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and co-founder of STEREOTANK, an art and design research practice focused on public art and the interplay of space and sound. Sara has significant professional experience as a Project Architect at LOT-EK in New York City and has served as an adjunct professor at FIU since 2017. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Design (DDes) degree at FIU.
We are excited to welcome Felipe, Cynthia, and Sara to FIU’s School of Architecture, where their diverse expertise and innovative approaches will greatly enrich our academic community and inspire the next generation of architects.
