Perkins&Will Announces John Haymaker Fellowship Fund at MIT

Rodrigo Gallardo aspires to become a licensed architect in his home state of Texas and is currently researching mixed reality and artificial intelligence. He plans to leverage this research to develop spatial computing tools to make complex fabrication processes more intuitive and accessible, both in high-tech contexts and in underserved regions such as rural Mexico. Through computational design, he hopes to develop sustainable, scalable solutions for populations in need, and eventually share these design tools with students in those communities.

“Pursuing graduate studies at MIT is an extraordinary privilege,” says Gallardo, “and having the institutional support of both MIT and this fellowship has provided the foundation for meaningful work in my field.”

Bolurin Adedipe was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where he leads a youth-centered program within a regeneration zone, a project that has further deepened his commitment to community-rooted, sustainable design. His research focuses on integrating sustainable practices that shape vibrant urban spaces and empower communities in the U.S., U.K., and across the African continent, and he will soon be pursuing a real estate degree.

“This fellowship is a critical step toward strengthening my work in sustainable design and innovative production methods for creating resilient, inclusive cities,” says Adedipe.

Helena Girardoni an incoming Master of Architecture student, is “honored and humbled to have been selected as a 2025-2026 John Haymaker fellow.” Girardoni will pursue her interest in the aesthetics of sustainable architectural practice, and she intends to focus her research on the transformative potential of reuse and repair.

Prior to enrolling in MIT, Girardoni participated in the construction of energy-efficient homes as a carpenter and cabinetmaker, where she developed an understanding of the importance of existing structures and the urgency to retrofit older buildings.

Salma Rodriguez joins the MIT School of Architecture and Planning after graduating from Texas Tech this past spring. Having immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico as a child, she experienced the challenges of adapting to a new language and culture. Her work explores architecture as a bridge between cultures and environmental concerns, using waste materials to develop eco-conscious designs.

“As the first in my family to attend college, being selected as a John Haymaker Fellow is an incredible honor for both my family and my education,” Rodriguez said. “This fellowship allows me to continue my studies with financial confidence. I will always be grateful for this opportunity.”

She hopes to continue using design to support and honor communities like her own.

John Haymaker joined Perkins&Will in 2013 and served as the firm’s director of research until his passing in 2022. In this role, he helped bridge research and academics with practice, collaborating with architects, urban designers, and planners to create a unique new model for the industry. An accomplished architect, Haymaker held a master’s degree in design and computation and a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering. As an MIT graduate, he also shared his expertise by teaching courses in the SMArchS program.

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About Perkins&Will

Perkins&Will, an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, was founded in 1935 on the belief that design has the power to transform lives. The firm is committed to creating a better, beautiful, more equitable world through Living Design, an approach that integrates environmental, social, and design considerations to advance ecological health and well-being. Interior Design named Perkins&Will a “Sustainability Giant” in 2024; Architizer named it the world’s “Best Sustainable Firm” in 2023; and Metropolis named it “Firm of the Year” in 2022 for its industry leadership in advancing climate action and social justice. Fast Company named Perkins&Will one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture three times, and in 2021, it added the firm to its list of Brands That Matter—making Perkins&Will the first architecture practice in the world to earn the distinction.

With an international team of more than 2,500 professionals, Perkins&Will has over 30 studios worldwide, providing integrated services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture. Partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; McLennan Design; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). For more information, visit www.perkinswill.com.