Zak Kostura

Structural Engineer

Zak is a Structural Engineer in the New York office, with particular expertise in high performance structures. He has been a part of the project team for the Fulton Center project for more than ten years, on which he served as lead structural designer for Sky Reflector-Net, an eight-story tensile structure that serves as the centerpiece for the project. His design contributions on the project also extend to computational analysis of the historic cast iron tunnel structures of the New York City Subway within the Fulton Center complex, and design of structural modifications to enhance connectivity within the transit system.

In addition to work on the Fulton Street Transit Center, Zak has worked on a broad array of other projects, including tall and supertall buildings in the Middle East and Asia, sculptures and other artistic installations, airports, railway stations and underground structures. In his work, Zak emphasizes the importance of modern computational tools and techniques in an efficient process that yields the greatest value for clients.

Zak is also an adjunct assistant professor of architecture in the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University, where he provides a focus on structurally expressive architecture. He is also co-instructor of a materials-based advanced design studio.

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What is TEDx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxFultonStreet, where x = independently organized TED event.

At our TEDxFultonStreet event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.