Matthias Hollwich is the founder of XPEKT and has worked in several internationally acclaimed architectural firms and urban design studios, including: OMA, Rotterdam (Netherlands), Eisenman Architects, and Diller+Scofidio, New York City. His work includes the design of the Campus Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, the Dutch Embassy in Berlin, Casa da Musica in Porto and the International School of China in Beijing. From 1999-2001, Matthias was assisting professor at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Switzerland 1999 – 2001 and guest lectured at Columbia University in 2005. Presently Matthias is visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (UPENN). In 2004 he finished editing his first book with Rainer Weisbach at the Bauhaus: UmBauhaus – Updating Modernism. His most recent work includes the new headquarter for Kaikai Kiki in New York to be realized by summer 2006, a masterplan for Geropolis, a city for the aging population in 2020 (a Bauhaus Foundation Project), ArtSPA for the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and Ginger Kurb, a new cultural interface on Governor Island in New York. Matthias is driven by the aim to upgrade manmade environments on a human and engaging scale with an memorable and secretive twist. His work has been published in Wallpaper*, ArchPLUS, MAX, Bauwelt, Dwell, Architectural Digest, and many more. www.xpekt.com