Ibrahim Kombarji is an architect, design researcher and writer based in New York. ibrahimkombarji@gmail.com
His work examines the entanglements of architecture, art, ecology, and geopolitics. Currently, he focuses on project-based collaborations in
exhibition design and art direction. Ibrahim has previously worked with offices in Milan, London, Paris, and Beirut. His most recent writings
and interviews have been published in PIN-UP, Humboldt Books, and Errant Journal.
Work
Freelance architect, exhibition design and research 2024-ongoing
Formafantasma, architect and art direction 2020-2024
L.E.FT Architects, architectural editor 2020
Sou Fujimoto Architects, junior architect 2019
L.E.FT Architects, junior architect 2018
Zaha Hadid Architects, architectural assistant 2017
BCQ Arquitectura, internship 2016
Hashim Sarkis Studio, internship 2013
Recent Projects
Portfolio available on request
Peter Hujar, Centro Pecci, exhibition design 2025
Satura: Louis Fratino, Centro Pecci, exhibition design 2024
Sydell Miller: A Legacy, Sotheby’s, exhibition design 2024
Lebanon Pavillion, La Biennale di Venezia, exhibition design consultant 2024
Conversation Pit Pioneer Works with Katharina Sauermann, design and art direction 2024
Andy Warhol/Dubai, Foundry, exhibition design 2024
Asian Art, Sotheby’s, exhibition design 2024
Writings
Inside the Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial, PIN-UP 2025
Slicing The Cake, Errant Journal 2024
99 Names of God, PIN-UP 2024
Pyromaniac Landscapes, UC Berkeley RM 1000 Journal with Sarine Vosgueritchian 2023
Algorithmic Neighbourhoods, Bartlett Journal with Alessandro Celli2022
Exploded Firewall, Humbold Books with Shady Elbassuoni 2021
Habemus Cella, Yale Paprika! 2021
Kitchen Parliament, Patio Publication, with Azul Klix 2020
6cm, URBAN 2019
1970-something, Rusted Radishes, with Tonia Khalil 2018
Absorbed Screen, HDM Lund 2017
Interviews
On limitations with Ai Weiwei, Shadow Play Magazine 2025
On Being Home with Formafantasma, TL Magazine 2025
On Keeping it Simple with Alberto Meda, C41 Magazine 2024
On Gardens with Humberto Campana, Lampoon Magazine 2023
On Transversality with Hervé Chandès, Lampoon Magazine 2022
On Transparency with Joseph Grima, Lampoon Magazine 2022
On Voices with Noémi Michel, Lampoon Magazine 2022
Teaching
Architecture Association (AA) Visiting School Basel in collaboration with The Critical Urbanisms Department, University of Basel, tutor 2023
Talks
Nieuwe Instituut Design Drafts Series #2 2024
Morning Studio Series with Jeroen Van de Gruiter, Design Academy Eindhoven 2024
DAE Arena Talk with Eliott Tsaramaro, Dutch Design Week 2022
GSAPP Climate Summit with Andrés Jaque and Xiaoxi Chen 2020
Exhibitions and Prizes
GSAPP Incubator Prize Recipient 2022
Foraging, Tallinn’s Architecture Biennale, with Iyad Abou Gaida, Marylynn Antaki, Bahaa Ghoussainy, Rana Samara Jubayli 2022
Lira, Ambit Magazine, Studio Awfar with Mia Baraka 2022
Libation, Epreuve Gallery, Studio Awfar 2019
Recto/Verso, Arab Architects Awards 2018
In-between, DOMUS, L’Orient le Jour 2016
Education
Columbia University, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP),
M.S Advanced Architectural Design 2019-2020
American University of Beirut, B.Arch and minor in Art History, High Distinction 2013-2018
Lund University, Housing Development, and Management Program, Urban Shelter Studio 2017
Languages
Arabic, mother tongue
English, fluent
French, fluent
Italian, conversational