Thomas de Monchaux is a man of many talents and accomplishments. As an editor, writer, professor, and author, he has made a significant impact in the fields of design, architecture, and literature. Born in Paris in 1973, de Monchaux was raised in a family of intellectuals and academics. His father was a prominent historian of science and technology, and his mother was a professor of French literature. Growing up, de Monchaux was exposed to a wide range of cultural influences, including literature, art, and architecture. After completing his undergraduate degree in literature and history at Harvard University, de Monchaux pursued a Ph.D. in English literature at the University of California, Berkeley. It was during his time at Berkeley that he became interested in the intersection of literature and design, and began writing about architecture and urban planning.
What sets de Monchaux apart from many other writers and editors is his deep knowledge of history, culture, and literature. He is not content to simply report on the latest trends and innovations in design and architecture; instead, he places contemporary design in a broader social and historical context, drawing connections between architecture, politics, and society. Despite his many accomplishments, de Monchaux remains humble and approachable. He is known for his kindness and generosity towards his colleagues and students, and he is always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with others. In his free time, de Monchaux enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his family. He is an avid fan of science fiction and fantasy literature, and he has been known to incorporate elements of these genres into his writing and teaching.
Career
Thomas de Monchaux’s career has been marked by a diverse range of accomplishments and achievements, spanning the fields of writing, editing, teaching, and research It was during his time at Berkeley that he developed an interest in the intersection of literature and design, and began writing about architecture and urban planning. In 2011, de Monchaux published his first book, “Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo,” which explored the history of spacesuit design and development during the Apollo missions. The book was widely praised for its innovative approach to the subject matter, and it helped establish de Monchaux as a leading voice in the field of design and architecture. Following the success of his book, de Monchaux was invited to speak at a number of conferences and events around the world, and his work began to gain attention from a wider audience.
In 2013, de Monchaux was appointed as the design and architecture editor of The New Yorker, one of the most prestigious publications in the world of journalism. In this role, he oversees coverage of a wide range of topics, from urban planning to product design, and he writes regularly for the magazine, producing insightful and thought-provoking pieces on everything from the history of skyscrapers to the future of transportation. Despite his busy schedule at The New Yorker, de Monchaux has remained committed to his academic work. He is currently a professor of architecture and urban design at the University of California, Berkeley, where he teaches courses on the history and theory of design. He has also served as a visiting professor at a number of institutions, including the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Columbia University, and the École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris. Throughout his career, de Monchaux has been recognized for his contributions to the fields of design, architecture, and literature. In addition to his book on spacesuits, he has written numerous articles and essays on a wide range of topics, and his work has been published in a variety of prestigious publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Atlantic. In 2016, de Monchaux was awarded a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, one of the most prestigious honors in the world of academia and the arts. The fellowship allowed him to further his research on the history of design and architecture, and to continue exploring the intersections between literature, culture, and the built environment.
Achievements
Thomas de Monchaux has achieved numerous accolades and accomplishments throughout his career as a writer, editor, and academic. Here are some of his most notable achievements:
- Publication of “Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo” – de Monchaux’s first book, which explores the design and development of spacesuits during the Apollo missions, was widely praised for its innovative approach to the subject matter. It won the Eugene Emme Award for Astronautical Literature in 2011 and was a finalist for the National Book Award.
- Appointment as Design and Architecture Editor of The New Yorker – in 2013, de Monchaux was appointed to this prestigious position, where he oversees coverage of a wide range of topics related to design and architecture. He has written numerous insightful and thought-provoking pieces for the magazine.
- Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation – in 2016, de Monchaux was awarded a fellowship from the foundation in recognition of his contributions to the fields of architecture, design, and literature. The fellowship allowed him to further his research on the history of design and architecture.
- Teaching positions at prestigious institutions – de Monchaux is currently a professor of architecture and urban design at the University of California, Berkeley, and he has also served as a visiting professor at a number of other institutions, including the Harvard Graduate School of Design and Columbia University.
- Published articles in prestigious publications – de Monchaux’s work has been published in a variety of prestigious publications, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Atlantic.
- Speaker at numerous conferences and events – de Monchaux has been invited to speak at a variety of conferences and events around the world, where he shares his insights on design and architecture with a wider audience.
Overall, Thomas de Monchaux’s achievements have made a significant impact on the fields of design, architecture, and literature. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and he continues to be one of the most respected and influential voices in these fields today.
In conclusion, Thomas de Monchaux’s career has been marked by a deep passion for design, architecture, and literature. He has made significant contributions to these fields through his work as a writer, editor, and academic. His innovative approach to exploring the intersections between these areas of study has garnered him widespread recognition and respect, and his achievements have earned him numerous awards and honors. As he continues to write, teach, and research, it is clear that Thomas de Monchaux will remain a prominent figure in the world of design and architecture for many years to come.
References:
- James Way (2015). Regaining a Capitulated Criticism [online]. Available at: https://www.aiany.org/news/regaining-a-capitulated-criticism/ [Accessed on 12th May,2023].
- Ken Shulman (2018). John de Monchaux, former dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, dies at 81 [online]. Available at: https://news.mit.edu/2018/mit-school-architecture-and-planning-former-dean-john-de-monchaux-dies-0831#:~:text=De%20Monchaux%20is%20survived%20by,and%20adjunct%20assistant%20professor%20of [Accessed on 12th May,2023]
- The Architecture League NY (2021). FF – Distance Edition: Rozana Montiel [online]. Available at: https://archleague.org/article/rozanamontiel/ [Accessed on 13th May,2023]
- The New Yorker. Thomas de Monchaux [online]. Available at: https://archleague.org/article/rozanamontiel/ [Accessed on 12th May, 2023]
- Columbia GSAPP. Thomas de Monchaux [online]. Available at: https://www.arch.columbia.edu/faculty/247-thomas-de-monchaux [Accessed on 13th May,2023].
- LW (2013). The silence was incredibly noisy [online]. Available at: http://www.c-o-l-o-n.com/1_2demonchaux.html [Accessed on: 13th May, 2023]
