Romano Ian is currently a Designer – Data and Computation Coordinator at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) in Chicago, IL. Where he pursues advancements in the technology used for both design and analysis of complex urban spaces.

Previously, he was part of the Cedar team as Generative Systems, Lead working to re-invent the future of urban housing. There he developed GIS processing plug-ins and applied urban design knowledge towards generative systems. Prior experience in academia and with think-tanks ranging from asset management software to community land trusts to novel forms of community engagement through art. 

He holds a Master of Science in the Design of Cities from SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture) and Bachelor of Architectural Studies with a concentration in Urbanism from Carleton University.

He’s a fan of card games, extremely over-buttered popcorn, and in-flight meals. Has a playlist for every occasion and has seen the original Transformers movie a few too many times. He’s previously lived in Ottawa, the Philippines, Northern Canada, and Los Angeles.

Education

2019 - 2020
Master of Science in the Design of Cities

Graduation with Distinction

SCI-Arc

Los Angeles, CA

2014 - 2018
Bachelor of Architectural Studies,
Concentration: Urbanism

Graduation with Distinction

Carleton University

Ottawa, ON

Work Experience

Current // Aug 2025 - Today
Data and Computation Coordinator at
Skidmore, Owings, and Merril
Chicago
2 years // Sep 2023 - Jul 2025
Generative Systems, Lead at
Cedar
Chicago / Remote
Current // Oct 2022 - Aug 2023
Intermediate Designer (City Design Practice) at
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Chicago
10 Mos. // Jan 2022 - Oct 2022
Junior Designer (City Design Practice) at
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Chicago
6 Mos. // Aug 2021 - Jan 2022
Applied Research - Generative Design Intern at
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Remote (Los Angeles)
3 Mos. // July 2021 - Sep 2021
Research Associate (Community Land Trusts) at
SCI-Arc R*Search
Los Angeles, CA
5 Mo. // January 2021 - May 2021
Sense LA Arts Intern at the
Berggruen Institute
Los Angeles, CA
16 Mo, // April 2018 - July 2019
Research Coordinator at the Carleton Urban Research Lab
Ottawa, ON
4 Mo. // May 2018 - Aug 2018
Ottawa, ON
3 Mo. // June 2016 - Aug 2016
Summer Student (Financial Analyst) at NWT Housing Corporation
Yellowknife, NT
3 Mo. // June 2015 - Aug 2015
Summer Student (Clerk) at the GNWT Department of Transportation
Yellowknife, NT

Skills

Design
Rhino+Grasshopper / Revit / CATIA
Give form to argument.
Analysis
ArcMap / ArcGIS Pro / QGIS / FME / Excel
Everything has a size and a location.
Visualization
Ai + Ps + Id / Pp + Ae / V-Ray / Keyshot / Twinmotion / Mapbox GL
When in doubt - make it beautiful.
Web
Wordpress CMS, HTML, CSS
Mobile or bust.
Utility
Unity AR, Gephi, Affinity Designer
A tool for every problem.

Recent Awards

2020
Hsinming Fung and Craig Hodgetts Postgraduate Thesis Prize
2018
2018
Published in Building 22
Housing Studio Project: East LeBreton Flats Masterplan w/ Christophe Young
2018
Carleton Architecture Faculty Choice Award
Istanbul Studio Project: Insert Urbanism with Charles Dery and Cole Peters
2018
Published in Building 22
Istanbul Studio Project: Insert Urbanism with Charles Dery and Cole Peters
2017
City of Ottawa, Urban Design Award
Urban Edge Studio Project: Feedmill Innovation District
2017
FCCP Education Foundation Award in Architecture
Housing Studio Project: East LeBreton Flats Masterplan with Christophe Young
2017
Carleton Architecture Annual Director's Project Faculty Honor Award
Route 45
2017
Published in Building 22
Urban Edge Studio Project: Feedmill Innovation District