Metropolis Selects Two UB Architecture Students for Future100 Class of 2025

 

Two students in the UB School of Architecture and Planning – Kimia Ghaderian (MArch ’25) and Ying Wang (BS Arch ’25) – have been selected for the prestigious METROPOLIS Future100 class of 2025.

For more than 40 years, METROPOLIS magazine has featured projects, published insights, created resources, and organized events to keep its readers connected to the future of design. The METROPOLIS Future100 is an elite cohort of 500 emerging leaders who are poised to reshape the industries of architecture and interior design. Their outstanding work represents a bright and promising future defined by innovation, sustainability, inclusivity, and thoughtful design.

The application process is straightforward. On top of maintaining a stellar academic record, each applicant must provide a portfolio of their work and testimonials from faculty nominators.

Elaine Chow, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Architecture, played a crucial role in making both students aware of this opportunity. Her guidance brought the Future100 to Ghaderian’s attention early on, but she knew she wouldn’t be eligible to apply until her final year in the MArch program.

The following years were not without their difficulties. As an international student from Iran, Ghaderian struggled early on with the language barrier on top of her coursework. “In my first semester here, I had some challenges with my English,” she reflected. “So, I didn’t have much confidence in myself, but Joyce Hwang (professor, Department of Architecture) saw my potential and helped me believe in myself. She helped me see that while I’m coming from another country, I have knowledge to offer here.”

METROPOLIS Future100 remained a goal for Ghaderian, and in the fall 2024 semester, when Chow observed that her portfolio had the potential to be selected, she knew she had to proceed with an application.

Hwang, along with Adjunct Instructor Greg Serwata, provided nomination letters for Ghaderian’s application. “Kimia is an exceptional student,” Hwang shared. “In my graduate core studio, she stood out among her peers due to the high degree of curiosity, intensity, and rigor that she demonstrated through her work…She is an excellent spatial thinker who developed a uniquely experiential building design.”

Ghaderian continued to refine her portfolio but unexpectedly found herself hospitalized just before the deadline. While she could have understandably bowed out, Ghaderian stuck with it and completed her application from her hospital room. “If I didn’t do that, I would have really regretted it,” she concluded.

Now that she’s completing her master’s, Ghaderian plans to put academia aside for a while to gain more first-hand industry experience — discovering what she truly enjoys by immersing herself in the work. “I want to go into the industry and understand how my ideas could be built and how I can continue to improve. After a few years, I’ll make a decision about whether I want to continue with my PhD or not, but I need a bit of time for that.”

Wang was nominated by adjunct instructor Jon Spielman as well as Chow, with whom she worked closely through her junior-year studio and undergraduate portfolio seminar, as well as her involvement with the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). Wang recognized and appreciated Chow’s support — “She really encouraged us to not just focus on studio but also on our overall career developments.”

Chow enthusiastically provided her nomination letter for Wang. “Ying is an enthusiastic student with high academic rigor, a responsible collaborator with creative problem-solving abilities and adept organizational skills,” she noted. “Her innate skill of spatial awareness enhances her individual capacity for innovative design solutions…Beyond her technical abilities, Ying is also a thoughtful and strategic designer. She embraces concept development and enthusiastically iterates on her ideas.”

As she finishes up her bachelor’s this spring, Wang is looking forward to continuing her education in a new setting through the MArch program at the University of Pennsylvania. “The work and experiences that I gained from UB prepared me with a solid background in architecture,” she reflected. “I would like to use that foundation to explore more of the world.

Both Ghaderian and Wang credit the strong community at the school for bolstering their academic growth. Wang shared, “UB provides great opportunities for people like me, first-generation students without experience in the field. All the professors I have met are really supportive, and UB builds a really inclusive environment for students coming from different backgrounds.”

Ghaderian, in particular, cited faculty support as an important part of her experience. “I always knew there were people here for me—whether I needed feedback on my portfolio or help with course materials. The faculty were always supportive and willing to guide me.”

As members of the METROPOLIS Future100 class of 2025, both students are honored in that publication and will also receive abundant networking opportunities with fellow members, industry leaders, and future employers. The opportunity has also provided a well-earned boost of confidence at an opportune time.  “This success helped me believe in myself and fueled my energy for moving forward,” Ghaderian expressed. “Sometimes opportunities don’t work out, but sometimes they actually do – METROPOLIS did!”

Wang agrees. “It encourages me to keep pushing into the future. I also hope to be an inspiration for people in future UB classes to apply for this opportunity.”