John May stands as a prominent figure in contemporary architecture and design, recognized for his theoretical explorations and innovative design practice. As a founding partner of MILLIØNS, an architecture firm based in Los Angeles, alongside Zeina Koreitem, May’s work spans diverse scales and geographies, encompassing projects from California to Germany and Beirut. His intellectual contributions extend beyond built structures, delving into the critical examination of design culture through writing and academia.
MILLIØNS has garnered attention for its experimental and conceptually driven approach to architecture. The practice’s portfolio includes completed and ongoing projects across various locations, demonstrating a commitment to design excellence and intellectual rigor. Notably, MILLIØNS achieved international recognition by winning the competition to reimagine the west wing of I.M. Pei’s iconic Everson Museum in Syracuse, New York. This significant win underscores the firm’s capacity to engage with and reinterpret architectural legacies while forging new paths. MILLIØNS’ work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, including venues such as Friedman Benda Gallery and the Storefront for Art and Architecture, highlighting their influence within both academic and professional spheres.
Signal. Image. Architecture (Columbia, 2019), one of John May’s significant publications, delves into the profound impact of digital imagery on our perception of space and the built environment. In this book, May investigates the psychosocial effects of electronic images and their transformative consequences for architecture and urbanism in the digital age. His analysis provides critical insights into how technology mediates our experience of architecture and shapes the contemporary urban landscape.
Further solidifying his position as a leading architectural theorist, May co-edited Design Technics: Archaeologies of Architectural Practice (Minnesota, 2019) with Zeynep Çelik Alexander. This edited volume explores the historical, philosophical, and political underpinnings of design technologies, offering a comprehensive examination of the tools and techniques that define architectural practice. Through these publications, John May establishes himself not only as a practitioner but also as a critical thinker who bridges the gap between architectural theory and practice. His essays and interviews have appeared in leading journals such as Log, Perspecta, and Harvard Design Magazine, contributing to ongoing dialogues within the field.
John May’s influence extends into academia, where he has held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including MIT, UCLA, SCI-Arc, and the University of Toronto. His appointment as the National Endowment for the Humanities Visiting Professor in Architecture at Rice University in 2012 further recognizes his scholarly contributions and expertise in the field. May’s academic background is rooted in a broad intellectual foundation, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Visual Art from the College of William and Mary, a Master of Architecture (AP) with Distinction from Harvard GSD, and a doctorate in Geography and Environmental Studies from UCLA. This interdisciplinary education informs his multifaceted approach to architecture and design, positioning John May as a significant voice shaping contemporary architectural discourse and practice.
