Saint Joseph Studio Workshop
A nonprofit community design workshop committed to building healthy, sustainable and beautiful places for human dwelling.
Help Build Healthy, Sustainable & Beautiful Places to Live, Work and Play
SJSW needs your help to achieve its mission. By making a deductible donation to SJSW you make it possible for us to work with others to build healthy, sustainable and inclusive communities through design
Our Mission
Founded in 2021, St. Joseph Studio Workshop (SJSW) is a nonprofit community design workshop (501(c)(3)) committed to building healthy, sustainable, and beautiful places for human dwelling. We work exclusively with community development organizations, providing accessible architectural design services, professional internships, technical training, and youth engagement workshops, while also engaging in ongoing research to improve the built environment.
We are architects, designers, and makers who believe in the transformative power of good design and beauty in the built environment, and we are committed to putting that power at the service of communities in need.
What's New @ SJSW?
Stories, updates, and reflections from the studio workshop, our partners, and our ongoing projects.
Who is St. Joseph?
Saint Joseph, the patron of workers, fathers, and those seeking justice, quietly stands behind our name and mission. As a carpenter and guardian, he reminds us that careful work, hidden service, and beauty in the ordinary can transform lives and communities.
"St. Joseph and the Christ Child in the Carpentry Workshop" (Pietro Annigoni) 1963, Balilica of San Lorenzo, Florence
Saint Joseph is known to be the husband of Mary, Mother of God foster father of Jesus. He was most likey a carpenter. More than that, there is very little known about Joseph. And while an angel appears to him and instructs him to take Mary as his wife (MT 1:18-25); he is warned and told by the angel to return to Egypt (MT 2:13-23); and he accompanies Mary to Bethlehem (LK 2:1-7) and searches anxiously for the 12-year old Jesus in Jerusalem (LK 2:47); he remains silent. Joseph is Patron of Workers (especially carpenters), Patron of Fathers and Married Couples, Patron of the Dying, Patron of House Hunters, and Patron of those seeking Social Justice. He is Patron of Canada, China, Korea, Mexico, and Belgium. He is patron of engineers, architects, artists and those in doubt. His titles include Husband of Mary, and St. Joseph the Worker. He is patron of SJSW.
How we do it
To achieve its mission, SJSW partners with community development organizations to provide high-quality, accessible professional design services; offers internships for aspiring creatives; works with community partners to provide workshop experiences for local youth; and engages in ongoing research on housing and building systems with local and international universities.
Partnerships
We partner with community development organizations to provide high-quality, accessible, professional design services aligned with their mission and capacity.
Internships
We offer internships for aspiring creatives who are passionate about design and making, and committed to community service and social justice.
Workshops
We work with community partners to provide hands-on workshop experiences for local youth, introducing them to design, making, and the built environment.
Research
We engage in ongoing applied research, in partnership with local and international universities, on issues such as housing, building systems, and community infrastructure.
design for those who need it most
As a registered charitable organization, SJSW actively seeks funding through donations, grants, and gifts. We currently receive support from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus, and several private benefactors who prefer to remain anonymous.
With limited resources, we cannot work with everyone. Projects are selected by a committee of the SJSW board based on project type, the capacity of the organization, our existing project load, and the availability of subsidy. Contact us if you think we can help.
How we can help
We can help you imagine and realize innovative ways to support your mission: from custom installations, exhibitions, and pop-up shops, to furniture and interior renovations, to full building and campus projects. We can also work with you to understand complex problems, explore and test potential solutions, and develop an implementation strategy.
Our process is participatory and inclusive. We rely on active involvement by stakeholders to define and frame the problem, establish clear criteria for success, and evaluate proposed solutions. We start with people and the places they inhabit, and we use advanced design and fabrication technologies to test and explore ideas until we arrive at solutions that work—and that you love.
Feasibility Studies
Test an idea and understand what it would take to make it real.
Professional Design Services
Develop a feasible, buildable design solution that reflects your mission and constraints.
Youth Engagement Projects
Design and build projects that invite young people into the work of transforming their communities.
Workshops
Engage your community in imagining what is possible and exploring design options together.
On-going Research
Discover new possibilities through applied research, prototyping, and collaboration.
Why WORK WITH US?
Accessible professional design services, community participation, internships, youth engagement, and research are not add-ons—they are the core of what we do. The reason to work with SJSW is not only what we offer, but how we offer it.
With over 30 years of experience working with nonprofits, award-winning design expertise, proven engagement methodologies, and the use of advanced design technologies, SJSW helps you leverage your project investment to increase organizational effectiveness and maximize community engagement.
At the level of design, we look not only at how to solve functional, operational, and practical requirements, but also at how to shape an environment that produces the desired aesthetic and spiritual experience. We do this through a workshop process that results in clearly defined and measurable design criteria.
A design project can also be an opportunity to reimagine who your organization is, to engage local businesses and craftspeople, to activate youth involvement, and to build capacity. The staff at SJSW has decades of experience working with community organizations that turned building projects into rich opportunities for participation and growth.
research
Design innovation and complex problem-solving begin with defining the problem and framing the approach. Design problems are complex, multidisciplinary, value-laden, and open-ended. To respond, designers must continually explore new ideas, materials, and methods, and learn from both precedent and experiment.
One of the best ways to do this work is by building full-scale functional prototypes. The SJSW workshop is equipped with advanced machinery (including 5-axis CNC) and cutting-edge design technology, allowing us to explore ideas at full scale and engage in applied research on issues that directly impact local communities.
We are especially interested in the production of housing—from alternative financing and fabrication to design and construction. Our ongoing project, Zao House 2.0, rethinks manufactured housing through a series of functional prototypes developed at Zao Lab at
Tsinghua University, Institute for Future Human Habitats in Shenzhen, China.
work
Design begins when someone realizes “it could be otherwise.” At SJSW, design is more than solving a problem on paper—it is about proposing a possible future and then figuring out how to build it. We work with partner organizations to define the problem, prioritize outcomes, explore possibilities, and arrive at solutions that can be implemented within real-world constraints.
A successful project is one that responds to complex needs, functions as intended, can be delivered within the organization’s capacity and budget, and induces an intended quality of aesthetic experience. Whether it is a building renovation, interior design, furniture, or a design–build workshop, it should be a solution that people love and are proud of.
The staff at SJSW brings decades of professional practice and research to this work. Below are some representative projects. To see more, visit our
Projects page.
staff
SJSW is growing a full-time professional staff, including fellows and interns. The staff currently includes Fr. Terrence M. Curry (Director). Depending on the availability of funding, we will soon be looking for an associate director and office manager. SJSW is governed by a board of directors. Contact us if you are interested.
Director
Fr. Terrence M. Curry is a Jesuit, architect, teacher, and craftsman. He is an award-winning architect with 30 years of professional practice. Having founded design centers in Detroit, the Bronx and Budapest, and a center for design research and fabrication in China, Fr. Curry is fully committed to the power of good design to build healthy communities. Most recently Fr. Curry was professor of architecture and founding director of Zao Lab at Tsinghua University, Institute for Future Human Habitats. He holds a Ph.D. from TU Delft, M.Div. from Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Th.M. from the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, and B.Arch. from Pratt Institute.
Associate Director
SJSW will be looking for a licensed architect who is committed to community service, design and enjoys making things. Their responsibilities will include managing and working on projects, working with and recruiting interns, participating in competitions, doing research, and exploring their own interests. The position will be available pending funding.
Office Manager
SJSW will be hiring a manager to assist with the administration of the studio workshop. They will be an essential part of the studio workshop. Responsibilities will include providing administrative assistance for the the director and and associate director, book-keeping, fund-raising research and grant writing, managing the web-site and general office management. The position will be available pending funding.
Technician
Huaguang (Sam) FANG has years of on-site construction experience. He joined SJSW Fall 2025, and continues helping us out when we need him and when his time allows.
interns (Past & Present)
Internships and fellowships are a central component of St. Joseph Studio Workshop’s mission. The purpose of internships to provide young design professionals committed to design excellence and community service with the opportunity to work with us on real projects in partnership with community development organizations. Internships are intended for recently graduated design students. Interns learn by doing: attending meetings, making presentations, exploring design ideas, discovering possibilities. They learn how to use design to benefit the local community and improve the built environment. The number of internships is dependent on availability of funding and project opportunities. Please contact if you think you might be interested in being an intern or funding an internship.
CURRENT INTERNS
PAST INTERNS
FELLOWS
A SJSW Fellowship provides a limited number of community-service oriented design professionals with full access to the SJSW workshop for work on their own projects and to collaborate on projects with us. The number of fellowships is dependent on availability of space, project opportunities and need. To apply a fellow must submit an application, including a brief bio, statement of interest, project description and how they imagine their work can promote the SJSW mission. If you are interested in a SJSW Fellowship or would like to sponsor a fellow, please click the contact button, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Final decisions on fellowship applications are made by the SJSW Board of Directors.
Nathanael Musera
Nathanael Musera is a designer and fabricator specializing in sustainable materials and custom design. He is founder of MoRF Material, transforming reclaimed fibers into non‑toxic composites and reinforced architectural tiles. A recent graduate from Rensselar Polytechnic University (RPI), Nathanael is experienced in 3D modeling, prototyping, and small‑batch fabrication—bridging digital design with hands‑on craft to create innovative, eco‑conscious products.
Kun (Quin) WU
Kun (Quin) Wu, a registered architect in NY and NJ is principal QWA and is engaged in producing digital art. His installations and digital artwork have been favorably reviewed by The New York Times and Designboom.
Prior to his founding of QWA Studio in 2019, Quin has worked at SmithGroupJJR in Michigan and a couple of interior design firms in NYC. He also teaches Interior Design in Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). Involved in SJSW from its founding, Quin was SJSW acting director from 2023-24. Quin holds a Bachelor of Civil Engiuneering from China Agricultural University University (Beijing), and a M.Arch. from Rhode Island School of Design.
Fan LIU
Fan Liu is a Wisconsin Registered Architect with a strong foundation in design and project delivery. She holds a Master of Architecture from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the China Academy of Art.
Currently practicing at Urbahn Architects, Fan has established herself as a key team member on numerous complex public projects. Her design excellence has been recognized with multiple awards. Having studied under the renowned architect Wang Shu, Fan possesses a unique sensitivity to craft, bringing extensive experience in hands-on building and material fabrication to her work.
Hao CHANG
Hao Chang is a New York State Registered Architect distinguished by a dual background in architecture and urban planning. He holds a Master of Architecture from Columbia University, where he studied under the tutelage of renowned architect Steven Holl, as well as both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Urban Planning from Tsinghua University.
Previously, Hao practiced at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) for three years, contributing to several landmark projects. His design excellence has been recognized with multiple international honors, including the MUSE Design Award, the BLT Built Design Award, and the Buildner Architecture Competition. His work has been showcased at Rednote Design Week in Shanghai and exhibited in the iconic Vertical Glass House. Beyond his architectural practice, Hao is also a photographer, digital content creator and social media manager with five years’ experience.
Board of Directors
SJSW is led by an active and enthusiastic board of directors. The board includes a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. We are currently working on growing and diversifying the board. All projects require approval by the SJSW Board Project Selection Committee. If you think you might be interested in joining the SJSW board, please contact us.
chair
Eric K. Daniels
Mr. Daniels is a licensed architect, full professor at SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and former Chairperson of the Interior Design Department, founding principal at EKDNYC, and board member at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. He has been actively engaged in community service throughout his professional, academic, and personal life, and is committed to promoting racial, social, and economic justice.
Treasurer
John T. Ferguson
Mr. Ferguson has worked in the asset management industry for almost 30 years, managing multi-billion dollar and multi-product global businesses. He has been the president/chief operating officer of several hedge funds. He was a managing director at Deutsche Bank, lived in Estonia and ran a venture capital fund for a US-based not-for-profit, and practiced law in New York City. Currently, he is a Trustee of the Krane Shares Trust
Secretary
Timothy P. Kesicki, SJ
Fr. Kesicki has been the President of St. Ignatius HS (Cleveland) Provincial of the Detroit, Chicago, and Midwest Provinces of the Jesuits and president of the Jesuit Conference of North America. He sits on the board of the Loyola University of Chicago, he is frequent commentator on CNN and other news outlets, and is actively engaged in a national restorative justice initiative. He is currently superior of the Jesuit First Studies Program at St. Louis University.
Ex-Offici0 member
Terrence M. Curry, SJ
Fr. Curry is the founder and Executive Director of St. Joseph Studio Workshop. (See above.)
A non-profit design workshop committed to working with community development organizations to build healthy, sustainable and beautiful human environments
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Get In Touch
Industry City, Building 5
67 35th Street, C251
Brooklyn, NY 11232
- Email: info@SJSW.org
- Phone: +1 (347) 350-4084
- Hours: Tues-Fri 10:00AM - 5:00PM