John Hilla is an Adjunct Professor at Lawrence Technological University and Research Specialist at the University of Michigan. His research on the physicality and aesthetics of non-traditional materials was formerly housed at Cornell University and conducted concurrently with his professional practice as Senior Designer for Jenny Sabin Studio. As a graduate of the Master of Architecture program at the University of Pennsylvania, Hilla was awarded the Henry Adams Medal and was a finalist for the Student of the Year honor from the American Institute of Architects. Additionally, he received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award and the Legacy Award for Academic Engagement at Syracuse University, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. More recently, he was named a Fellow at the National Building Museum in Washington DC in association with his 2017 work as an Architectural Designer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.