writes the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity presenting its Curious 100 list.

This list, which includes a wide range of advocates — from those championing regenerative agriculture and material use to those supporting some of the most vulnerable communities in our society — honors the legacy of Ray and Charles Eames, whose insatiable curiosity and interdisciplinary approach to design continue to inspire innovation and creative problem-solving.

MAD's founding director and MIT Class of 1942 Professor with appointments in the departments of architecture and civil and environmental engineering, John Ochsendorf, was named in the Protectors category, along with personalities such as Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Mae-ling Lokko.

“Harnessing curiosity to safeguard vulnerable communities, the environment, and human rights, Protectors tackle critical social issues through activism, creativity, and advocacy to protect and empower others, creating a more just and sustainable world,” writes the Eames Institute.

John Ochsendorf is a designer and educator with architecture and structural engineering serving as the nucleus of his work. As a longtime MIT professor, he co-founded the Morningside Academy for Design (MAD), a hub for empowering young designers to take risks and approach challenges through scholarships and innovative programming. Ochsendorf’s research explores the limits of traditional and digital materials, expanding the possibilities of design. His partnership with world-renowned architects and artists has created unconventional forms, contributing to award-winning projects globally.

A celebrated educator and thinker with work featured at the Venice Biennale of Architecture; the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; and the National Building Museum, Ochsendorf’s passion for curiosity and creativity is captured in the film Questions as Tools, which highlights his approach to blending disciplines and inspiring the next generation of designers to make consequential contributions to the world.