Portfolio.

About 
me,

Portrait of Surya Gopalam

Surya Gopalam · M.Arch, Iowa State University

Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

I’m drawn to architecture shaped by real human needs the way people live, gather, and find meaning in everyday routines. 

My work often begins with an atmosphere or idea and moves toward the technical decisions that make it buildable. A background in both architecture and community planning shapes how I see projects, from the scale of a neighborhood system down to the character of a single room.

I’m interested in how light, material, and program support community and create spaces that feel grounded and intentional. I aim for design that is clear, careful, practical, and genuinely resonant.

EDUCATION

  • Master of Architecture

    Iowa State University · Aug 2022 - May 2025

  • B.S. Community & Regional Planning

    Iowa State University · Aug 2017 - May 2022

EXPERIENCE

  • Concept Studio Architectural Intern

    Bangalore, India · May 2022 Aug 2024 · Supervisor: Shashi Kumar

    • Contributed to schematic design for healthcare and mixed-use proposals.
    • Provided model updates, iterative refinements, and drafting support across phases.
    • Generated high-quality visualizations for design reviews and client presentations.
    • Participated in internal critiques on materials, lighting, and design direction.
    • Provided model updates, iterative refinements, and drafting support across phases.

TRAJECTORY

  • 2017Began B.S. in Community & Regional Planning, Iowa State University.
  • 2022Started Architectural Internship at Concept Studio, Bangalore.
  • 2022Began Master of Architecture, Iowa State University.
  • 2023Radiant Hub Rural Civic Redevelopment Studio, Roland, Iowa.
  • 2024Echoes of Stillness Hospice for Terminally Ill Competition.
  • 2025Threaded Commons Denver Affordable Housing Competition.
  • 2025Graduated M.Arch, Iowa State University.
  • 2026Where Light Finds You House of Shadows Competition, Yamanouchi.

RECOGNITION

  • Hospice for Terminally Ill Buildner Finalist 2025
  • LEED Green Associate In progress · 2026

TRAINING & WORKSHOPS

  • Parametric Design with Grasshopper Bryan Garcia, 2025
  • Advanced Visualization Techniques ISU, 2024
  • Lobitos for Care Design Workshop ISU, 2023

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Sustainable architecture
  • High-performance buildings
  • Translucent envelopes
  • Interactive design

TOOLS

  • Revit
  • AutoCAD
  • Rhino3D
  • Grasshopper
  • SketchUp
  • Photoshop
  • InDesign
  • Twinmotion
  • Enscape
  • VISOID