Ana Miljački assumes leadership in transforming the Department of Architecture at MIT

Ana Miljački named head of the Department of Architecture

Ana Miljački, the Francis White Davis Professor of Architecture at MIT, commenced her tenure as head of the MIT Department of Architecture on July 1. This pivotal role catapults her into a position where she is set to influence not just the department but also the dialogue around architectural education.

Transformations on the Horizon: Miljački reflects on her nearly 20 years teaching in the department, expressing admiration for her students, whom she describes as eager to push the boundaries of the discipline. “I appreciated immediately that these were students comfortable being at the edge of the discipline,” she stated. With her new leadership, she aims to harness and amplify this transformative spirit.

The department, renowned for its innovative approach, is also preparing for significant physical changes. In late summer, Miljački’s department will move to the Metropolitan Storage Warehouse (the Met), providing a new venue for collaboration and creativity. This move coincides with her leadership transition from Nicholas de Monchaux, who garnered attention for his work around climate resilience and sustainability.

A Vision for Collaboration and Community

SA+P Dean Hashim Sarkis remarked on Miljački’s extensive contributions, including directing specialized graduate programs that have revolutionized the department’s pedagogy. “Ana has led many of the department’s academic programs with dedication, advancing experimentation in pedagogy, encouraging critical thinking,” he noted, emphasizing her integral role in shaping the department’s academic culture.

Miljački has also experienced the exceptional support at MIT, which she believes has allowed her to thrive as a researcher. “When junior faculty are supported to produce their own work, they also support students who are helping them,” she explained, highlighting MIT's distinctive approach to nurturing talent.

Her academic journey has led her through institutions like Columbia University and Harvard before making MIT her home, where her scholarly focus encompasses architectural discourse from Cold War-era Eastern Europe to today's contemporary practices. Notably, her co-curation of the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale showcased her flair for impactful exhibitions.

In 2018, Miljački established the Critical Broadcasting Lab at MIT with the aim to foster necessary tools for critical practice in architecture. This lab provides vital contributions toward sustainable architectural practices and critical engagement in various global biennials.

Engaging with the Future

Miljački is not just focused on regional architecture but has also embraced global issues, co-curating an exhibition that addresses the climate crisis linked to architecture. This initiative underscores her commitment to connecting current architectural discourse with pressing challenges the world faces.

Furthermore, her podcast, “I Would Prefer Not To,” delves into the unseen intricacies of architectural decisions. This blend of theory, practice, and critique underscores her holistic approach to education and architectural discourse.

Her future ambitions as the department head extend to retaining her role as a teacher, particularly in her hallmark course (4.210): Cultivating Critical Practice, which engages students with contemporary architectural issues while fostering a collaborative learning environment.

“We have to think critically about this present that we occupy,” Miljački stresses, indicating the necessity of a reflective approach to architectural practice. This perspective is crucial as it guides students not just in knowledge acquisition but in understanding the larger implications of their work.

As Miljački steps into her new role, the anticipation for the department's new physical location at the Met elevates the conversation around community-building among faculty and students. “It’s a really exciting moment to transform physically where we are and how we relate to one another,” she asserts, envisioning a space conducive to fostering creativity and collaboration.

With Miljački at the helm, the MIT Department of Architecture is set for a bright future defined by critical inquiry, community engagement, and a dedication to transforming the built environment sustainably.