Hwan Kim

Hwan Kim is the Principal of VIA’s Seoul office, where he brings extensive expertise in computational design, environmental performance analysis, and advanced façade systems. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Minnesota and has led interdisciplinary efforts at the intersection of architecture, technology, and sustainability.

At VIA, Hwan has played a pivotal role in integrating digital design methodologies with building performance modeling, material research, and data-driven construction processes. His global project experience spans a number of iconic works, including the canopy of the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art in Davis, California (with SO–IL), the Morpheus Hotel in Macau (designed by Zaha Hadid Architects), the Lusail Tower Plaza in Qatar (designed by F+P), Naver Data Center Gak in Sejong (designed by Junglim and Mass Studies), and HYBE HQ in Seoul (designed by FHHH Friends).

Prior to joining VIA, Hwan served as a façade consultant at Front Inc., contributing to complex architectural envelopes across its offices in San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Seoul. He also worked as an urban design researcher with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, contributing to civic and public-sector architecture with a focus on performance and resilience.

Hwan is an active lecturer and has been invited to speak at institutions including Nikken Sekkei Tokyo, Yonsei University, and the University of Seoul. His work on the Brera Pedestrian Bridge and selected designs featured at the Young Architect’s Design Session were published in the proceedings of ISAIA 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Recently he was awarded in ISAIA 2024 in Kyoto, Japan with his research in AI-driven methodology for enhancing BMI interoperability in architectural digital fabrication.