Ben Mickus, a deeply passionate architect and designer, has developed a unique approach to design that harmonizes various sensory experiences. From his early work in a lumber yard to studying architecture in Copenhagen, Mickus has always been drawn to the art of making. His exploration of Danish design, particularly Arne Jacobsen’s comprehensive work at Aarhus City Hall, shaped his dual career path in architecture and product design. After earning his master’s degree from UCLA, Mickus worked on transformative architectural projects like the Lincoln Center with Diller Scofidio + Renfro. In 2009, he launched Mickus Projects, which focuses on furniture, lighting, and immersive installations, emphasizing material interplay and collaboration with artisans.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Architect: Ben Mickus
Studio: Mickus Projects
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Education: UCLA
Influence: Danish and Multi-Sensory Design
Featured Work: Taylor House
A significant influence in Mickus’s career is the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk or total work of art, which he encountered in Jacobsen’s designs. This influence is evident in his belief that architecture must serve as a vessel for experiences, with careful consideration of how users interact with spaces. His work at Lincoln Center reinforced this notion, highlighting the importance of experiential design. Since relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, his studio has continually pushed boundaries in multi-sensory design, integrating visual, tactile, and acoustic elements to enrich each project.
Mickus has a profound appreciation for multi-sensory design, selecting inspirations that cater to each sense. Visual inspiration is drawn from intimate settings like Achille Castiglioni’s studio in Milan, illustrating the intricacies of the design process. Acoustically, Joseph Beuys’ felt sculptures offer an experience where sound is absorbed to create a profound silence. Taste and smell are tied to memorable experiences, as epitomized by a sugar cane cocktail in Hawaii, which left an indelible mark on his memory due to its powerful sensory association.
In terms of tactile experiences, Mickus was inspired by the Haptic exhibition in Japan, curated by Kenya Hara. The exhibition demonstrated how design can transcend the visual to engage the tactile sense profoundly. He cites the traditional wood block sandals by Shuhei Hasado for their unique sensory impact. Mickus’s kinesthetic inspiration comes from the San Diego Children’s Museum, where interactive exhibits like a 3D rope tower encourage bodily orientation and movement through space, informing his approach to designing children’s play environments.
Through his various works, Mickus showcases his commitment to merging innovative design with functional beauty. The Hedron Pendant, a finalist for the 2025 IF Design Award, demonstrates his fascination with parametric design and renewable materials. Using hexagonal geometry and bioplastics, the pendant exemplifies how geometry and light interplay to create a subdued and sophisticated atmospheric glow. His Relief Chair, part of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum collection, further blends aesthetics with sustainability, utilizing renewable wool felt and minimizing environmental impact through its construction.
Mickus’s projects, like the Taylor House, vividly illustrate his philosophy of merging the old with the new. By expanding a 1910 colonial house to include modern design elements, Mickus respects historic integrity while introducing contemporary interventions. The project’s transition spaces, like the open riser ships-ladder staircase, exemplify his skill in creating seamless connections between different eras of design. Mickus’s work consistently encapsulates his belief in the power of holistic and sensory-focused design, offering environments that engage and enrich the human experience.
