- Justin Booz is an American artist, designer, and researcher based in Switzerland and working at the intersection of landscape, computation, and spatial science. His work investigates how digital infrastructures, sensing technologies, and algorithmic systems mediate perception, knowledge, and environmental decision-making at planetary scales. He is particularly interested in how large technical systems such as satellites, sensor networks, machine learning models, and data platforms interact with lived landscapes, ecological processes, and cultural forms, producing new modes of spatial understanding and misrecognition.
Trained in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Computational Design, and Land Systems Science, Booz combines critical inquiry with empirical and technical methods, including geospatial analysis, computer vision, and environmental sensing. His research examines landscape not only as a material and ecological system, but also as an attentional and interpretive field shaped by cognitive frameworks, technological mediation, and cultural practices. Through both scientific experiments and speculative artifacts, he explores how models of the world shape what is seen, valued, and governed.
Alongside academic research, Booz produces objects, visualizations, and digital tools that make abstract infrastructures legible and open them to public interrogation and misuse. His work has been exhibited internationally and informs teaching that bridges design practice, data science, and environmental research, equipping students and collaborators to critically engage with the rapidly evolving conditions of planetarity.
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Education
ETH Zürich
Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering
Doctor of Science (Candidate)
Planning of Landscape and Urban Systems
Harvard University
Graduate School of Design
Dual Masters Degree
Landscape Architecture//Design Studies: Mediums
Columbia University in the City of New York
Bachelor of Arts
Architecture
Employment
ETH Zürich
Zürich , CH
Scientific Assistant
2025 - Present
Harvard University
Cambridge, US
Research Assistant
2021 - 2025
Studio Zewde
New York City, US
Landscape Design
2021 - 2025
NYC Office of the Mayor
New York City, US
Technical Intern, Office of Environmental Remediation
2019 - 2020
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York City, US
Graphic Designer
2016 - 2019
The Cooperation Operation
Chicago, US
Co-founder & Director
2012 - 2015
Skills
Computational Systems — AI Human–AI Interaction Spatial Computing — GIS 3D Scene Representation Simulation — Modeling Programming — Workflows Sensing—Physical Computing Visualization — Immersion Fabrication — Prototyping Environmental Field Analysis
Public
Planetary Slop: Eidetic Operations Revisited
School of Planning Lecture Series
University of Cincinnatti
Cincinnatti, US
2026
Pixel Earth: Planetary Data in the Age of AI
Department of Architecture
University of Hawi’i
Honolulu, US
2026
Sensing the Living City: A Scalable Platform for Monitoring the Electrophysiology of Urban Forests JoDLA Conference
Dessau, Germany
2025
A Machine Learning Model to Identify Historic Wetlands in an Area of Critical Environmental Concern
JoDLA Conference,
Dessau, Germany
2025
Digital Tools and the Future of Landscape Architecture: Exploring New Frontiers
International Federation of Landscape Architects
2025
Landscape Architecture in the Age of Planetary Computation
School of Planning Lecture Series
University of Cincinnatti
Cincinnatti, US
2025
Cool Forest,
with SCAPE and Harvard GSD
Venice Biennale
Venice, Italy
2025
Dia: Beacon
Design Drawings (with Studio Zewde)
Group Exhibition
Dia: Chelsea
New York City, US
2022
Awards
MDes: Mediums Domain Prize
Harvard GSD
2025
Norman T. Newton Prize
Harvard GSD
Department of Landscape Architecture
2025
Dean's Scholar
Landscape Architecture and Design Studies
Harvard GSD
2020 & 2024
Penny White Project Fund Grantee
Harvard GSD
2023
Columbia Global Scholar
Columbia University in the City of New York
2019
Beesen Global Research Fellow
Columbia University in the City of New York
2018
Center for French and Francophone Studies Fellow
Columbia University in the City of New York
2018
Press
Cochran, Sam. 2024. “Tour an Out of This World Home in the Swiss Alps.” Architectural Digest. December 4, 2024.
Alexander, Tieg. “The Coop Op Transforms Toxic Waste Site into Community Garden.” Greenheart Transforms 1 January 2014: 1-2. Online.
Bellware, Kim. “Cooperation Operation Turns Former Toxic Waste Site Into Pullman Community Garden.” Huffington Post 19 August 2013: 1-2. Online.
Cynic, Aaron. “Coop Op Transforms a Vacant Lot in South Chicago.” The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor, 01 Nov. 2013. Web. 14 Dec. 2013.
Goldhammer, Zachary. “In Pullman, The Sunflower Also Rises.” Chicago Weekly 25 April 2013: 1-3. Online. Goldhammer’s article also appears on City Farmer News.
Jones, Sylvia L. “’Coop Op’ Turns Pullman Eyesore into Community Asset.” ABC7 Chicago. ABC7 News, 30 Aug. 2014.
Maher, Sean. “BEST ECOLOGICAL ARK: Cooperation Operation” Southside Weekly 25 September 2013: Print.
Pfeifer, Jamison. “The Pullman Punk Ethic.” Chicago Weekly 1 March 2013: 1-2. Online. Richardson, Whitney. “Chicago ‘Cooperation Operation’ to Transform South Side Lot into Creative Farm-scape.” Agrarian Trust 4 May 2013: 1-2. Online.
Sánchez, Erika L. “Pullman Residents Turn Former Toxic Waste Site into Community Garden.” DNAinfo Chicago 19 August 2013: 1-3. Online.
Saunders, Luke. “Bumper Crop in Food Desert.” Grinnell Review 2 January 2014: 1. Online.
Vogel, Erin. “Cooperation Operation Fights Food Desert in South Side Neighborhood.” RedEye 22 July 2013: 1-3. Online. Vogel’s article also appears in The Sun Sentinel.