“It is important for my work, and for my students’ work, that we explore all technologies past what we believe they are intended for,” says James Kerestes (@jameskerestes), an architect currently teaching at Ball State University in Indiana. James’ use of a 3-D printer — and other technologies normally foreign to architecture — is central both to his research and his teaching curriculum. “3-D printing has really expanded my capabilities for exploration within design,” he explains. “I see technologies such as rapid prototyping as a way of complementing my current tool sets and opening up opportunities for discovering new ones.” While James’ current work is finding unconventional applications of the 3-D printer, he emphasizes that it’s just the latest chapter in his evolving approach to architecture and design: “It’s important to ‘break’ a tool beyond its capabilities to a point where you are ready to introduce yet another tool into the set.” Photo by @jameskerestes