Hello! I'm Rish_Ryusuke Saito, a Japan-born, US-based designer.
My academic journey in Japan culminated in a Master's in Engineering, focused on Architecture, and an Outstanding Graduate Thesis Award from the Architectural Institute of Japan in 2011. After gaining hands-on experience in a Japanese architecture firm, I moved to the US to further my studies. At SCI-Arc, I earned my Master of Architecture and received the Merit Graduate Thesis Prize in 2020, the same year I was a finalist in the global Urban Confluence Silicon Valley competition.
Now, I'm expanding my architectural practice in the US. This site showcases my journey — academic projects, personal explorations, and professional collaborations.
Welcome to my portfolio!
Achievements & Contributions
2022
University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan
Guest jury for Toshiki Hirano Design Studio in collaboration with Princeton University, SCI-Arc, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Pratt Institute, and Tsinghua University
2022
Silicon Valley Sculpture Exhibition (SVS) | Atherton, CA
Panel discussion speaker and screened presentation
Covered by SVS Website and SF/ARTS
2020
International Architecture Design Competition | Urban Confluence Silicon Valley, San Jose, CA
Title : Welcome to Wonderland
Reference : Urban Confluence Silicon Valley / KQED (Interview)
One of three finalists from 963 submissions from 72 countries and 6 continents
Each finalist designer received a $150,000 stipend to develop the concepts in collaboration with outside experts
2020
Merit Graduate Thesis Award | SCI-Arc, Los Angeles, CA
Title : Equivocality
In recognition of an outstanding graduate thesis project
2018
ONRAMP | SCI-Arc, Los Angeles, CA
Publication of selected work by SCI-Arc undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students
2014
Journal of International City Planning | Hanoi, Vietnam
Publication: “Structure and Achievements of a Program to Assist Formation of Intermediary Organizations on Historic Preservation: A Case of the Statewide and Local Partners Program in the U.S.” The International Symposium on City Planning 2014 ABSTRACTS, pp.78-79, 2014.11
2011
Journal of International City Planning | Gyeongju, Korea
Presentation & Publication: “Implementing a Program to Assist the Formation of Intermediary Organizations on Historic Preservation: A Case of the Statewide and Local Partners Program in the U.S.” Journal of International City Planning, pp.109-118, 2011.8
2011
北陸支部研究報告集 | Architectural Institute of Japan
The implementation of a program to assist the formation of intermediary organizations on historic preservation : A case of the Statewide & Local Partnership program in U.S., 日本建築学会北陸支部研究報告集 (54), 437-440, 2011-07-10
2011
Outstanding Graduation Thesis Award | Architectural Institute of Japan
Selected 7 out of 108
Journal of architecture and building science (126), 108-, 2011-08-20