About architect

AIA International Board Member • 2026 – 2027 President Elect • 2025 Vice President Elect • 2023-2024 Secretary • Chair of 2022 AIA International Spring Conference

AIA Japan Board Member • 2021 President • Chair of  Design Awards

Professional, Architect, Designer, Masterplanner, at Nikken Sekkei

Segene Park, born in Seoul, Korea in 1973, is a distinguished architect and urban planner with a rich and diverse professional journey. In 1990, he embarked on his educational journey in the United States, initially at Lake Forest Academy before transferring to Mather High School in Chicago.

His academic achievements include earning recognition from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in 1996 and subsequently receiving the John E. Walley Memorial Scholarship in 2002, culminating in a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Segene’s dedication and excellence were evident during his service with the Defense Security Agency (DSA) in Korea from 1998 to 2001, where he was honored with the 2001 Excellence of Duty Award while serving as the chief’s private assistant.

Post-graduation in 2003, Segene joined Epstein’s Annex 5 as a project designer. His creative prowess and commitment to punctuality contributed significantly to the team’s success, resulting in numerous awards and publications in prestigious platforms such as Architectural Record, New York Times Online Edition, Chicago Tribune, AIA Magazine, and more, solidifying his reputation as a talented and forward-thinking architect.

In 2007, Segene joined Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) in Chicago, a globally renowned architectural, urban planning, and engineering firm. His expertise expanded to international projects, including a notable 354-meter tower in Russia showcased at the Venice Biennale in 2008, introducing a new form of Russian modern architecture.

Following his marriage and relocation to Tokyo, Japan, Segene’s interest in design evolved into urban planning. In 2015, he joined Nikken Sekkei, Japan’s largest and globally recognized design firm. Under his guidance, his team won three major international architecture and master planning competitions, gaining recognition in ArchDaily and other major Russian publications. From 2020 to 2023, Segene’s team received four major Architecture and Urban Planning Awards in Moscow, selected from a pool of 1,513 nominated residential complexes and evaluated by over 400 independent experts, underscoring his exceptional contributions to the field.

His diverse portfolio includes architectural designs for residential buildings, offices, hotels, museums, convention centers, high-rises, and supertall structures, along with sustainable buildings and interior design. His expertise extends to urban planning, including Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), smart cities, IT campuses, residential complexes, mixed-use developments, and landscape design. He is proficient in master planning, managing projects of various scales, ranging from small sites to over 10,000 hectares.

Beyond his architectural accomplishments, Segene is recognized for his leadership in professional organizations. In 2021, he became the President of AIA Japan after four years of service as a board member, secretary, and vice president. In 2022, he was elected AIA International Secretary for 2023-2024, showcasing his commitment to the global architectural community.

Segene’s dedication to supporting the arts is demonstrated through his involvement with the Cliff Dwellers since 2005 and his service as a committee member of the CD Arts Foundation from 2008 to 2012. His work with the foundation involved providing grants to arts-oriented organizations and individuals, presenting events such as concerts, performances, and films, and sponsoring an annual music competition.

As a thought leader, Segene has shared his expertise as a guest design critic at Meiji University, I-AUD Program, and Nihon University. He has organized and instructed Urban Plan Workshops with Urban Land Institute (ULI) Japan, collaborating with universities such as Meiji, Waseda, Tsukuba, Nihon University, and KAIST since 2021.

Segene’s recent engagements as a keynote speaker at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and as a panelist for the YLG Forum during the ULI Asia Pacific Summit highlight his commitment to sustainable and impactful design. Segene Park continues to shape the future of architecture with his creativity, leadership, and dedication to excellence.