Virginia Ellyn Melnyk is a computational architectural designer and researcher specializing in knitting, lightweight structures, and transformable architecture. She is currently an assistant professor at Iowa State University. Her teaching and research explores the interplay between deployable and lightweight structures, utilizing the fabrication methods of CNC knitting to develop structural membranes. Her designs focus knit pattern arrangements using elastic yarns, and connecting them with transformable frameworks to create deployable structures to stretch and interact with both their environment and users.

Virginia has held academic positions at Virginia Tech, the University of Michigan, Clemson University, and the University at Buffalo. Where she has contributed to teaching and research in undergraduate studio design, computational design, structures, and textile research classes. Her work has been presented at numerous conferences, exhibited nationally and internationally, and published in books and journals.

Focused on design process and human-centered engagement, her research reimagines architecture as dynamic , tactile, integrating closely with the human body to create designs that are sustainable, responsive, and deeply interactive. Through her work, Virginia envisions a future where architecture adapts seamlessly to meet changing needs and conditions.

Contact : vemelnyk@gmail.com