Architecture Beyond
I am Brandon Aaron Gibbs, AIA, NOMA—a licensed architect, researcher, educator, media producer, and advocate working across architecture, technology, and public engagement.
My story begins with my parents, who met while attending Howard University. My mother came from Mississippi, and my father came from the U.S. Virgin Islands. They raised me in Memphis, Tennessee, where I developed an early love for music, creativity, architecture, and design.
As a youth member of several orchestras including the Memphis Youth Symphony, I traveled nationally and internationally and experienced cities, cultures, and remarkable spaces beyond my hometown. Those experiences showed me how buildings and public places can express identity, history, and possibility. They helped inspire my decision to pursue architecture.
I studied architecture at Pratt Institute as a recipient of the Pratt Institute Presidential Scholarship. I later earned my Master of Architecture from the Architectural Association Design Research Laboratory in London. Over more than 15 years, I have contributed to sports and entertainment venues, healthcare facilities, churches, community spaces, commercial developments, and residential projects across Tennessee, New York, the American South, and beyond.
My work has expanded into research, education, entrepreneurship, and media. Through MotionFORM, I explore design, sustainability, computational methods, and emerging technology. I also founded Iamthestudio to help architects and designers strengthen their creative and technical skills.
Selected accomplishments include:
- LICENSED ARCHITECT IN TENNESSEE
- CO-CHAIR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, NOMA NASHVILLE
- PRATT INSTITUTE PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
- BISHOP G. E. PATTERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
- AUDIENCE AWARD RECIPIENT, QUICKFLICK LONDON
- WORK FEATURED BY PRATT INSTITUTE AND AIGA MOBILE
- PANEL SPEAKER WITH MUSIC CITY NSBE
- SPEAKER AT PODCAMP NASHVILLE AND BARCAMP NASHVILLE
- SHORTLISTED AS A PROSPECTIVE TEDX MOBILE SPEAKER
- ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING THROUGH THE NASHVILLE ENTREPRENEUR CENTER AND NASHVILLE BUSINESS INCUBATION CENTER
Through Architecture Beyond, I bring together professional experience, independent research, and storytelling to make architecture more accessible and relevant. As “The Architect in Your Corner,” I explore how design affects our communities, industries, opportunities, and everyday lives.
Architecture Beyond
Beyond Geometry | Advanced Form-Finding Frontiers for Architects With Grasshopper & Kangaroo With Arie Willem de Jongh | AB Ep 42
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What happens when architects stop designing static forms — and start designing with forces, behavior, and physics?
In this episode of Architecture Beyond, we sit down with Arie Willem de Jongh, innovative designer and Co-Founder of ThinkParametric, to explore the rapidly evolving world of Applied Design Physics and Computational Form-finding.
From parametric workflows to advanced simulations in Grasshopper and Kangaroo, this conversation dives into how architects and designers can create more intelligent, efficient, and responsive architecture through physics-based design methodologies.
Whether you're a student discovering computational design, a professional architect exploring advanced workflows, or a designer interested in pushing beyond traditional geometry, this episode offers practical insights into the future of digital practice.
Full episode video interview available here:
In This Episode
- How Arie Willem de Jongh first discovered parametric and computational design
- The growing importance of Applied Physics in architecture
- How tools like Grasshopper and Kangaroo enable advanced formfinding workflows
- Real-world examples of major firms using physics-driven design methodologies
- The relationship between geometry, structure, material behavior, and performance
- Common beginner mistakes in computational and physics-based workflows
- Practical advice for architects learning Grasshopper and Kangaroo
- Why physics-based workflows are shaping the future of architecture and design technology
Why This Topic Matters
Studies have shown that physics-based optimization methods can significantly improve structural efficiency while reducing material waste. At the same time, architects are increasingly using environmental and behavioral simulations to improve daylighting, airflow, adaptability, and overall building performance.
As computational workflows continue to evolve, architects who understand formfinding and applied design physics are gaining new tools to create architecture that is not only visually compelling, but also more intelligent and responsive.
Featured Tools & Topics
- Grasshopper for Rhino
- Kangaroo Physics
- Computational Design
- Parametric Architecture
- Digital Formfinding
- Physics-Based Simulation
- Structural Optimization
- Generative Design Workflows
About the Guest
Arie Willem de Jongh is an innovative computational designer and educator best known as the Co-Founder of ThinkParametric, one of the leading educational platforms for parametric and computational design. Through advanced tutorials, courses, and industry education, ThinkParametric has helped designers worldwide learn cutting-edge workflows in Grasshopper, Rhino, AI-assisted design, and advanced architectural technologies.
Explore More from ThinkParametric
Be sure to explore the latest educational content from ThinkParametric, including their growing line of AI design and prompt generation courses for architects and designers looking to stay ahead in the future of digital practice.
Architecture Beyond is where architects, designers, and creative thinkers share the stories shaping life and impact beyond the studio. Since launching, we’ve released dozens of inspiring episodes and grown into a global community of listeners who care about architecture’s role in the world.
We’d love to hear from you—what topics inspire you most, or who you’d like to see as a guest. If you’re interested in sharing your own story on the show, visit Iamthestudio.com and click ArchBeyond in the menu. Join the conversation and help us continue building a platform that elevates architects everywhere.
Sponsored by iamthestudio architecture software courses (site here).
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