Keojin Jin, AIA  

Associate Professor, Department of Architecture

Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea

Keojin.jin@pusan.ac.kr

 

Keojin Jin is a registered architect in the United States and Associate Professor of Architecture at Pusan National University. He practiced for seven years at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in New York, specializing in high-rise buildings and facade design. His current research investigatesdesign methods that encompass the full lifecycle of buildings, examining why building lifespans are short in Korean cities and exploring structural, material, and institutional alternatives to extend them.

His primary research areas include CLT timber structures for Korean housing, emergy-based sustainability assessment of materials, radiative cooling systems, incremental regeneration of aging housing, and the urban potential of mid-rise mixed-use buildings. He does not separate technology from design, holding that sustainable architecture becomes possible when environmental performance, structural rationality, and spatial quality are integrated.

The lab combines theoretical research with design practice, pursuing an empirical approach based on data analysis and fieldwork. Future research aims to expand work on Busan's urban regeneration with a focus on mid-rise mixed-use typologies. We seek students interested in connecting design with sustainability, developing projects grounded in urban phenomena, and pursuing empirical approaches through fieldwork.

Jin received a B.Arch from Illinois Institute of Technology and an M.Des from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He is currently a PhD candidate at Kyushu University. He holds apatent for a radiative cooling window system (KR102795347B1) and has published in SCIE, SSCI, and SCOPUS journals. He was selected as an exhibiting artist for the 2025 Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism Community Projects.

 

EDUCATION

[Current - Expected 2026] Kyushu University, Fukuoka | PhD Candidate

[2014] Harvard University, Cambridge | Master in Design Studies

[2011] Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago | Bachelor of Architecture

 

ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

[2021-Current] Associate Professor, Pusan National University, Busan (Associate Professor since 2025)

[2020-2021] Parttime Lecturer, Parsons School of Design, New York City

[2014-2021] Skidmore Owings and Merrill, Senior Architect | New York

- Volpe Transportation Center (Senior Construction Administration Architect)

- Guiyang World Trade Center (Fa?ade Design Architect)

- Hyundai GBC Tower (Competition Design Team+ Fa?ade Design Architect)

- Pertamina Energy Tower (Fa?ade Design Architect)

- Rostec City Campus (Lead Architect)

[2013] STOSS Landscape Urbanism, Internship, Internship |Boston

[2011] SMDP Studio, Architectural Designer |Chicago

 

PUBLICATIONS: JOURNAL ARTICLES

[2025] A study on residents’ preferences for maintenance methods for low-rise apartment complexes in non-central transit locations in Bun-dang, Republic of Korea. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering (SCIE), 1-19. | First Author

[2025] An Experiment on Religious-Secular Spatial Overlap through the Renovation of the Outdoor Garden at Manna Church Bundang. Journal of the Korean Institute of Spatial Design (KCI), 20(6), 143-154. | Sole Author

[2024] Evaluating the Sustainability of Domestic Wood Use Through Odum's Emergy Evaluation-Analyzing Emergy Flow and Sustainability Index in the Supply and Demand of Wood From Native and Domestic Sources. Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea (SCOPUS), 40(10), 219-229.| Corresponding Author

[2023] The Wall Between Them: Iruje House, SPACE (A&HCI), No. December (2023) | Sole Author

[2023] Thermodynamic Effect of High-Rise Reinforced Concrete Typology on Asian Cities: Effect of Socioeconomic Obsolescence Factors on Thermodynamic Complexity. Sustainability (SSCI), 15(15), 11483.| Sole Author

[2023] CLT and Concrete Structures for Vertical Expansion of Aging Apartments-Through Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE)-. Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea (SCOPUS), 39(6), 223-234. | First Author

[2014] Dynamic daylight control system implementing thin cast arrays of polydimethylsiloxane-based millimeter-scale transparent louvers. Building and environment (SSCI), 82, 87-96.| Co- Author

 

PUBLICATIONS: BOOKS

[2022] MRMU: Midrise Mixuse, Spacetime

[2014] (RE)Fabricating Tectonic Prototype, GSD Platform 7, Harvard University Graduate School of Design

[2013] Interactions of Colors, Elbers Josef Korean Official Translation, Kyung-dang Press

 

PATENTS

[2025] Keojin Jin, Kiljoo Lee, Radiative Cooling Window System (KR102795347B1) | Inventor

 

PEER REVIEWED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

[2025] Architectural Institute of Korea Fall Conference, Analysis of the Effect of Commercial Building Facade Characteristics on Vacancy Rate: Focusing on the Commercial Area around Pusan National University| Corresponding Author (Best Thesis Award)

[2024] Proceeding Book of the 17th Asian Planning Schools Association (APSA) Congress 2024, A Study on Residents' Preferences for Maintenance Methods for Low-rise Apartment Complexes in Non-Central Transit Locations in Bundang, South Korea| First Author

[2024] Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Chapter of Architectural Institute of Korea Fall Conference (BUGAIK), GOSIWON Design Proposals Based on Urban Characteristics and Needs in Youth Academy-Concentrated Areas | Corresponding Author

[2024] Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Chapter of Architectural Institute of Korea Fall Conference (BUGAIK), Study on the Temporary Regeneration plan for Obsolete Houses on Sloped in Yeongdo using Prefab construction method) | Corresponding Author (Best Thesis Award)

[2023] Architectural Institute of Korea Fall Conference, Evaluating the Sustainability of Domestic Wood Use Through Odum's Emergy Evaluation | Corresponding Author (Best Thesis Award)

[2023] Architectural Institute of Korea Fall Conference, Study on Design Direction for Implementing Restaurant and Retail Culture in Waterfront Areas| Corresponding Author (Best Thesis Award)

[2023] Architectural Institute of Korea Spring Conference | Exploring environmentally friendly remodeling methods using mushroom mycelium insulation materials | Corresponding Author

[2023] Conference on Asia Society of Basic Design and Art in Sapporo, Apgujeong Riverfront Regeneration | Corresponding Author

[2019] Maintainer Conference, Extending the Life of Citie | Sole Author

 

GRANTS & RESEARCH PROJECTS

[2024] The University Curriculum Development Aid Grant | Busan National University

[2023] The University R&D Seed Planning Project | BISTEP

[2016] Research Project, ‘Climate Change Project’ | Skidmore Owings & Merrill

 

HONORS & AWARDS

[2025] Seoul Architecture Biennale Community Project | Winner, Final 8 Exhibition Artist

[2023] 28th KISD International Space Design Exhibition | Winner, Excellence Award

[2023] Seoul 100 Year Master Plan Competition | Winner, Final 7 Exhibition Artist

[2020] Grand Prix at the International Property Awards (ASTERUS-SOM Rostec City Project)| Winner

[2018] IF Design Award (Emboss Tower)| World Design Guide

[2017] Metals in Construction Magazine 2017 Design Challenge | Finalist

[2014] IBPSA Student Simulation Competition | Winner

[2013] Radcliffe Art Competition | Winner

[2013] Nanchang University Research Center Competition | Winner

[2011] 2011 Chicago Burnham Prize | Honorable Mention

[2011] IIT Visual Training Peterhans Prize | Winner

[2007] 2nd International Sustainable Design Competition | Honorable Mention

 

EXHIBITIONS

[2025] The 5th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism Exhibition 2025 | Community Projects best 8 Exhibition, Selected Exhibition, Seoul

[2025] Korea Architecture & Cultural National Convention | Local Architects Exhibition Best 3, Group Exhibition, Seoul

[2024] Korea Architecture & Cultural National Convention | Local Architects Exhibition Best 3, Suwon­

[2024] 31th Korean Institute of Spatial Design (KISD) International Exhibition | Seoul

[2023] 28th KISD International Exhibition | Seoul

[2023] The 4th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism Exhibition 2023 | Seoul

[2022] BUGAIK Architectural Photo Exhibition| Busan

[2022] Anti-aging Health Bio Exposition Architectural Exhibition | Changwon

[2022] Korea Society of Basic Art & Design Autumn International Exhibition, Seoul

[2020] FORM 2020 Group Exhibition, CICA Museum | Seoul

[2016] Saturate the Moment Long-term (2yr) Permanent Exhibition | Cambridge, USA

[2014] Zero-house Harvard GSD Exhibition | Cambridge, USA

 

REGISTRATION

[2019-] New York State Registered Architect (042582), New York State Board of Education

[2011-] LEED AP (10718148), GBCI

 

THESIS STUDENTS

[2023-Current] Jiwon Choi, Master in Architecture Candidate

[2022-24] Wonyan Taht, Master in Architecture

[2022-24] Namyoung Kim, Master in Architecture

 

COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION

[2024-Current] Architectural Review Committee, Busan City

[2022] Architectural Review Committee, The Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH)