Brooklyn NY
US
Terreform ONE, a national nonprofit design group advancing ecological design in cities, today announced the appointment of Mark Chambers as its new Executive Director. A registered architect and nationally recognized leader in environmental policy, social impact design, and urban innovation, Chambers will lead the organization into its third decade of pioneering research, public art, and design at the intersection of biology, product development, and the built environment.
Founded in 2006, Terreform ONE (Open Network Ecology) has established itself as a leading voice in biodesign and speculative urban visions. Its projects range from insect-based protein systems and living multi-species architectural prototypes to green urban master plans and large-scale exhibitions, including presentations at the Venice Biennale, Cooper Hewitt, MASS MoCA, DAZ Berlin, and NAI Rotterdam. Through bold, cross-disciplinary collaborations, they've consistently stretched the limits of architectural practice in confronting climate change, biodiversity loss, and planetary urbanization.
"I am thrilled to join Terreform ONE at this critical moment in the story arc of our species,” said Chambers. “The organization’s legacy of stewarding regenerative and abundant ecological futures is more urgent than ever. I look forward to building on this extraordinary foundation and expanding our capacity, partnerships, public engagement, and impact.”
Chambers brings two decades of experience working across all levels of government, philanthropic and impact investment organizations. Previously, Mark was Senior Director for Building Emissions and Community Resilience at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. He also served as Chief Sustainability Officer for Washington, D.C. and then New York City where he oversaw groundbreaking initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, expand green infrastructure, and advance climate equity in the Nation’s capital and America’s largest city.
“Terreform ONE has consistently been a catalyst for new ecological paradigms, and the Board is excited for Mark to lead its next chapter,” said Simon Sylvester-Chaudhuri, Chair of the Terreform ONE Board. “We are also immensely grateful to Vivian Kuan for her 11 years of passionate stewardship as our long-serving champion and first Executive Director.” Co-Founder Mitchell Joachim echoed those sentiments, noting that the search for a new leader to carry forward her legacy was truly extraordinary.
Kuan will transition to Senior Advisor, shepherding key partnerships and strategic priorities. Chambers will lead this expanded team and deepen its mission to promote "Design Against Extinction" that challenges conventional urbanism globally and expands the role of artists, technologists, and makers in shaping a regenerative future.
