Justin Dean Mortman is an aspiring architect and designer from Princeton, New Jersey. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Business at Cornell University.
His journey into architecture began with a fascination for how our environments shape our experiences. During his time studying at Cornell, Justin has dedicated himself to crafting spaces that not only meet functional needs but also resonate on a personal level with those who inhabit them. Whether it's designing a home, a community space, or a commercial project, his goal is to create environments that feel tailor-made and enrich the lives of their intended users.
His interests in user friendly designs, led Justin to working with professor Katharina Kral in her lab titled, The Housing Innovation Lab. This lab focuses on designing retrofitting solutions for residential properties in NYC to enhance the quality of living in each unique space for its inhabitants.
Sustainability is another significant factor in his architectural ethos. From energy-efficient designs to mindful material choices, he strives to make sustainability a cornerstone of his architectural approach. His interest in sustainability has led Justin to co-leading the architecture and design team for “Sustainable Education”, a project team that is under the umbrella organization, Cornell University Sustainable Design (CUSD). As the project manager of that team, he is able to lead efforts in designing sustainable, inclusive education spaces in Nepal.
In addition to these experiences, Justin has also worked at Architectural firms across the country, building his technical and real world skills, while also learning valuable software along the way. This all goes to show how Justin believes in the power of interdisciplinary learning to enrich his architectural practice and bring fresh perspectives to each project.
When he’s not immersed in studio projects, you can find Justin out in nature hiking up the nearest mountain, or making music on his piano.
Academic History
Cornell University, Bachelor of Architecture
2025
Princeton Day School
2020
Cornell University, Introduction to Architecture (H.S.)
2019
2018
Washington University in St. Louis, Into to Arch (H.S.)
2023
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
Professional
Experience
Feldman Architecture, San Francisco, CA
Jun 2024 -Jul 2024
Studio Hillier, Princeton, NJ
Jun 2022 - Aug 2022
Garcia Stromberg, West Palm Beach, FL
Jun 2021 - Aug 2021
Sep 2023 - present
Housing Innovation Lab (Cornell AAP Lab)
May 2023 - Dec 2023
Cornell AAP Wood Shop Assistant
Cornell AAP Exhibition Assistant
May 2023 - Nov 2023
Awards &
Recognitions
Addison G. Crowley B.Arch Prize
Spring 2023
Princeton Day School Architecture Award
Spring 2020
Service &
Volunteer Work
Special Olympics
Jul 2012 - July 2020
Cornell AAP Exhibition Assistant
Mar 2023 - Apr 2023
Leadership
Experience
Cornell University Sustainable Design Project Manager
2024