January 23, 2026 - Surjan Super School Weekly Newsletter

SURJAN SUPER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

WEEK OF JANUARY 23, 2026

Theme: The Copper Carnival & The City That Smiles

INTRODUCTION: ARCHITECTURE AS A DOPAMINE HIT

Good morning and Happy Friday!

If there is one resolution we are sticking to in 2026, it is this: Architecture must produce joy.

For too long, we have equated "serious" design with grayscale minimalism. But look out the window! The sun is hitting the skyline, and our latest studio explorations prove that rigorous engineering and pure delight are not mutually exclusive.

This week, we are looking at a metropolis that feels like a festival. We are seeing oxidized copper acting like jewelry, historic facades wearing puffer jackets, and skyscrapers that look like stacked treehouses. We are defining a new style: "Industrial Whimsy." It’s heavy, it’s permanent, but it is smiling at you.

01. THE GILDED MACHINE

(Ref: The Copper & Mosaic Towers)

We begin with the most exuberant project of the month: The Copper Carnival Towers.

This is a masterclass in material contrast. We usually think of industrial pipes and ventilation stacks as ugly necessities. Here, they are the stars.

• The Jewelry: Notice the "Gold Plated Ventilation Stacks". They aren't hidden; they are polished to a mirror finish, reflecting the sky and the surrounding brick.

• The Base: The tower sits on "Sculptural Green Patina Podium Arches". This oxidized turquoise color anchors the building, making it feel ancient, while the upper "Copper Clad Tower Modules" feel futuristic and warm.

• The Surprise: Look closer at the arches. They aren't just metal; they are lined with "Mosaic Tile Cladding" in swirling, psychedelic patterns. It’s a secret art gallery for the pedestrians walking underneath.

02. THE BIG SOFT HUG

(Ref: The Inflatable Retrofits)

Why must preservation be stiff? Our "Inflatable Facade" studies propose a softer approach to history.

We have taken a rigid, historic masonry wall and given it a hug.

• The Tech: The section drawing shows a sophisticated "Double-Layer ETFE Membrane" system anchored by steel brackets. These aren't just balloons; they are thermal buffers.

• The Vibe: The "Pink Inflatable Modules" and "Yellow Inflatable Base" create a pillowy, tactile surface. It changes the acoustics of the street. It invites you to lean against the building. It turns the facade into a giant, urban stress ball.

03. THE VILLAGE IN THE SKY

(Ref: The Stacked Gable Tower)

Vertical living often feels isolating. The "Modular Copper Houses" project fixes this by taking the most primal symbol of "home"—the gable roof—and stacking it 40 stories high.

• The Structure: A "Timber Lattice Structure" supports these individual "Copper Clad Modules".

• The Texture: We see a mix of finishes. Some gables are "Green Patina," others are polished copper, and some look like "Copper Tile Cladding".

• The Feeling: By breaking the monolith into little houses, we create a "Vertical Village." It feels cozy, quirky, and human-scaled, even though it is a skyscraper.

04. THE PARADE OF GIANTS

(Ref: The Urban Inflatables)

Finally, we let loose with the "Urban Balloon Interventions".

Sometimes, the best architecture is temporary. We placed massive, orange and pink inflatable animal-abstract forms into the rigid city grid.

• The Scale: These objects dwarf the humans and the cars. They turn the street into a playroom.

• The Interior: We didn't stop outside. We stuffed these giants into the "Grand Palais" style interiors. The tension of a giant yellow balloon pressing against a delicate steel glass roof is pure architectural comedy. It reminds us not to take our institutions too seriously.

TECHNICAL DEEP DIVE: AGING GRACEFULLY

A note on the textures we are seeing this week:

The success of these images lies in the Gradient of Time. In the "Green Roof Terrace" study, the copper isn't just one color. It transitions from a bright, penny-colored orange at the top (new) to a deep, statue-of-liberty green at the bottom (old).

When you are designing this week, do not apply a single "Material" to your building. Apply a "History."

• Where does the water run? (Make it green).

• Where does the sun hit? (Make it gold).

• Where do people touch? (Make it polished).

FINAL THOUGHT: EXTEND THE JOY

As you head into the weekend, I want you to look at your current project and ask: "Where is the smile?"

Is there a pop of yellow tile hidden in the archway? Is there a balloon caught in the rafters? Is the copper aging beautifully? We have the technology to build anything. Let's choose to build things that make people happy.

Stay joyful,

Surjan

Professor of Practice, ASU

Founder, Surjan Super School